Trump trade troubles makes Tokyo-bound Merkel big in Japan
German Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to Japan on Sunday for a two-day trip to forge an “alliance of multilateralists” who want to resist U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach to trade and China’s pursuit of narrow national interests.
Lebanese leaders agree new government: political sources
Lebanese leaders reached a deal on Thursday to establish a new national unity government, three political sources from different factions said, a step that will end nine months of political wrangling over how to share out cabinet portfolios.
Venezuela frees two French journalists: Quotidien
Two French journalists arrested in Venezuela while reporting on the political turmoil engulfing President Nicolas Maduro were freed on Thursday, the Quotidien TV show for whom the pair worked said.
Islamic State denies causing blast in Syria’s Idlib
Islamic State on Thursday denied being behind a suicide blast that hit the governing council of insurgent-held Idlib in northwest Syria on Tuesday, its Amaq news service said.
Thai party ousted in 2014 coup picks Thaksin loyalist for PM in elections
Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party, which was ousted from power by the military in a 2014 coup, on Thursday picked a close ally of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as its main candidate for prime minister in elections set for March 24.
Anger persists after Vale vows to make amends for Brazil dam disaster
Residents of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais reacted with indifference and in many cases anger at a series of measures miner Vale SA has pledged to adopt following last week’s dam burst that almost certainly killed over 300 people.
Exclusive: U.N. may push back Libya election conference
The United Nations is likely to delay a conference intended to prepare Libya for elections this year until there is more support from rival leaders, sources familiar with the plans said.
Migrants disembark in Italy as Rome vows to continue hard line
Migrants forced to remain on board the ship that rescued them off the coast of Libya almost two weeks ago stepped onto dry land in Sicily on Thursday, with Italy’s government promising to continue to block charity ships from its ports.
Newspaper owned by Lebanon’s Hariri prints last edition
Readers of the Lebanese daily Al-Mustaqbal leafed through its last print edition on Thursday, its move online underscoring the challenges ailing Lebanon’s press industry.
U.S. does not expect European SPV to affect U.S. pressure campaign on Iran
The United States does not expect a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) being set up by European nations to facilitate trade with Iran to affect its “maximum economic pressure” campaign against Tehran, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman said on Thursday.
