U.S. House calls on Myanmar to release Reuters journalists
The U.S. House of Representatives called nearly unanimously on Thursday for the government of Myanmar to release Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were imprisoned one year ago in a landmark free speech case.
Israel to approve thousands of unauthorized West Bank settler homes
Israel is to authorize thousands of the settler homes built illegally in the occupied West Bank, some of them decades ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.
Jordanians stage new anti-austerity protests
Jordanian authorities deployed hundreds of riot police in the capital and warned activists to stay within the law on Thursday as hundreds of demonstrators staged more protests against tough austerity measures backed by the International Monetary Fund.
Saudi ambassador to Yemen says Hodeidah agreement to start Friday: Al Arabiya TV
Saudi ambassador to Yemen Mohammed al-Jabir told Al Arabiya TV on Thursday that enforcement procedures of the Hodeidah agreement made earlier between Yemen’s warring parties will start tomorrow.
Tunisia doctors protest against wage disclosure
– Hundreds of lawyers and doctors in Tunisia protested on Wednesday against a new law that will force them to disclose their salaries as part of a government bid to raise taxes.
Dutch church holding non-stop service to block deportations hopes for Christmas miracle
Worshippers at a church in the Netherlands that have been holding round-the-clock prayer services for more than six weeks to prevent an Armenian family from being deported are hoping for a Christmas miracle.
Trump says trade deal pays for border wall, Democrats scoff
U.S. Democratic leaders rebuked President Donald Trump on Thursday for saying Mexico will pay for a border wall through a new trade deal, while Mexico’s new president said the topic has not come up in his talks with Trump.
In an African first, a cannabis expo…without cannabis
Andre Kruger’s stand at Africa’s first ever cannabis exposition displayed an indoor growing tent, complete with state-of-the-art lighting imported from the United States and fittings for a high-tech hydroponic irrigation system.
Dutch fudge or Walloon macaroon? EU weighs gift for May
Dutch fudge is off the summit table as EU lawyers look closer to home in Belgium for a model of what leaders can offer Prime Minister Theresa May in the way of reassurances to help her sell a Brexit deal at home in Britain.
Yemen’s warring parties agree to ceasefire in Hodeidah and U.N. role
Yemen’s warring parties agreed on Thursday to cease fighting for the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah and withdraw their troops, the first significant breakthrough for U.N.-led peace efforts in five years of conflict.
