Western tourists trickle into Saudi Arabia as it tries to open up
Western tourists, a rarity in Saudi Arabia, visited this weekend under a new visa system, as one of the world’s most inaccessible countries tries to open up its society and diversify its economy away from oil.
Wanda inks $1.7 billion “red tourism” site in China’s Communist heartland
China’s Wanda group has signed a deal to build a sprawling complex for patriotic tourists to visit a site where the ruling Communist Party’s traces its revolutionary roots in northwestern Shaanxi province.
Germany weighing new government jet after Buenos Aires debacle
It was a vivid illustration of the gap between Germany’s foreign policy ambitions and its real means: Chancellor Angela Merkel arriving late, on a scheduled flight, to a crucial summit of world leaders because the government jet had broken down.
Maldives police freeze bank accounts of ex-president Yameen as part of probe
Police in the Maldives said they have frozen the bank accounts of former president Abdulla Yameen as they investigate allegations by state bodies that he conducted “illicit” deals, some involving Chinese infrastructure projects, whilst leader.
Egypt unveils ‘one of a kind’ ancient tomb, expects more finds
Egypt unveiled a well-preserved 4,400-year-old tomb decorated with hieroglyphs and statues south of Cairo on Saturday, and officials expect more discoveries when archaeologists excavate the site further in coming months.
British zoo evacuated after fire breaks out at large indoor exhibit
A zoo in northern England said it had evacuated all visitors on Saturday after a fire broke out in its Monsoon Forest section, the largest indoor zoological building in Britain.
Seven dead as Indian police fire on Kashmir protesters
Seven civilians died and dozens were injured when Indian security forces opened fire at people protesting the killing of three militants in a gun battle in restive Kashmir on Saturday, police said.
Ethiopia jails soldiers who marched on PM palace to up to 14 years
A military court in Ethiopia on Saturday jailed 66 soldiers for between five and 14 years for marching on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s palace in October, ruling they had broken military ethics, officials said.
African Union force denies it was involved in arrest of ex-al Shabaab leader
African Union peacekeepers did not help in the arrest of a former al Shabaab leader that led to clashes in which 11 people were killed, the AU force said, following a report that Ethiopian members of the force had been involved.
Cold weather, Croatian police stop migrants at EU frontier
Harsh weather conditions and tight police border controls have stopped thousands of migrants from attempting to cross into Croatia at the European Union’s Balkan frontier, leaving them stuck in impoverished Bosnia until spring.
