French Alpine tunnel gets red signal from Italy’s transport ministry
A Franco-Italian railway link would be a waste of public money and have a “strongly negative” financial impact, Italy’s transport ministry said on Tuesday in a report that will heighten tensions within the coalition.
Slow progress in Islamic State Syria pocket: U.S. coalition
Kurdish-led fighters battling to capture Islamic State’s last major stronghold in Syria are making “slow and methodical” progress, the U.S.-led coalition that backs them said on Tuesday.
Pakistan, India hope to reap investment from Saudi prince’s visit
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to announce investments in energy and infrastructure during a visit to India and Pakistan in coming days as part of his efforts to wean the Saudi economy off oil exports.
Catalan separatists go on trial, laying bare Spain’s divisions
Twelve Catalan separatist leaders went on trial in Madrid on Tuesday over a failed independence bid that laid bare historical divisions and triggered Spain’s biggest political crisis in decades.
UK parliament will not vote on revised Brexit deal this week: PM May’s office
British Prime Minister Theresa May told her top team of ministers on Tuesday that parliament would not be asked to vote on a revised Brexit deal this week as she needed more time to negotiate with the European Union, her office said.
Myanmar police use rubber bullets, tear gas to break up ethnic minority protest
Myanmar police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon on Tuesday to disperse a protest over a statue of independence hero General Aung San that is opposed by members of the Karenni ethnic minority, police and a protest leader said.
Give us our 284 APEC summit cars back, Papua New Guinea police plead
Papua New Guinea police are seeking the return of nearly 300 imported cars loaned to officials for driving world leaders around its capital during last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation meeting, a commander said on Tuesday.
Thailand suspends TV channel linked to ex-PM Thaksin ahead of poll
Thailand’s telecoms regulator on Tuesday suspended the operating license of a television channel linked to ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra weeks ahead of a general election, citing national security concerns.
Four police killed in Pakistan ambush claimed by Taliban splinter group
Taliban gunmen opened fire on a police vehicle and killed four officers in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, officials said, in a region once riven by militant violence but since cleared following military crackdowns.
Italy transport ministry gives thumbs down to TAV rail link
A cost-benefit analysis commissioned by Italy’s transport ministry on a new high-speed railway link with France has branded the project a waste of public money, saying it would have a “strongly negative” financial return.
