Amid recognition row, Kosovo hits Serbia with more customs tariffs
Kosovo’s government on Friday raised tariffs on a second layer of imports from Serbia, stepping up pressure on Belgrade to end a campaign to persuade other countries to withdraw recognition from its former province.
Amos Oz, author who chronicled Israel’s struggles, dead at 79
Amos Oz, Israel’s best-known author and an outspoken supporter of a two-state solution to its conflict with the Palestinians, died of cancer at the age of 79 on Friday, his daughter said.
Syrian army deploys to Manbij area after Kurdish calls to deter Turkey
The Syrian army deployed forces near Manbij in northern Syria on Friday, a war monitor and a U.S. official said, after the Kurdish YPG militia urged Damascus to protect the town, where U.S. forces operate, from the threat of a Turkish offensive.
Congo election preparations shaky, monitors say, with opposition ahead
Polling stations in Democratic Republic of Congo are ill-prepared for Sunday’s presidential election, diplomats and an observer mission said, as new polling showed opposition candidate Martin Fayulu favored to win.
Eritrea closes border crossing to Ethiopians, residents say
Eritrea has blocked entry for Ethiopians at one of the border crossings that opened this year after the neighbors ended a long military standoff and restored relations, Ethiopians who live near the crossing said on Friday.
Russia and Britain to start returning diplomats in January: Russian embassy
Moscow and London have reached an agreement to return some staff to their respective embassies after they expelled dozens of diplomats early this year, the Russian embassy said on Friday.
Italy PM defends budget as tempers fray in parliament
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday vigorously defended the government’s 2019 budget as parliament held an acrimonious debate on the package, which needs to be approved by the end of the year to take effect on Jan. 1.
Israeli author Amos Oz dead of cancer at 79: daughter
Amos Oz, Israel’s best known author and an outspoken supporter of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, died of cancer at the age of 79 on Friday, his daughter said.
Ahead of Bangladesh vote, opposition says it faces ‘a reign of terror’
Bangladesh has a general election this weekend, but opposition candidate Abdul Moyeen Khan says he has yet to hold a single public meeting in his constituency about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Dhaka, the capital.
Taliban seeks image makeover as Afghan peace talks gain momentum
As moves toward peace pick up in Afghanistan, the Taliban are trying to show they have changed since the brutal days of the 1990s when they banned music and girls’ education and carried out public executions in Kabul’s football stadium.
