Macron makes U-turn on fuel-tax increases in face of ‘yellow vest’ protests
France’s prime minister on Tuesday suspended planned increases to fuel taxes for at least six months in response to weeks of sometimes violent protests, the first major U-turn by President Emmanuel Macron’s administration in 18 months in office.
France to stick to budget commitments despite concession to protests: minister
The French government’s decision to suspend a planned increase in fuel tax in the face of violent protests does not put in jeopardy its budget commitments, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday.
UK PM May’s government faces contempt vote over Brexit legal advice
British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government could be found in contempt of parliament on Tuesday for refusing to release its full legal advice on Britain’s exit from the European Union, underlining the depth of opposition to her deal with Brussels.
French PM suspends planned fuel tax increases for six-month period
The French government on Tuesday suspended planned increases in three taxes on fuel for a six-month period starting Jan.1 in response to nationwide protests against high pump prices and living costs, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced.
Italy investigates five Egyptian suspects over disappearance of student: source
Italian prosecutors have placed five members of Egypt’s security forces under official investigation for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of student Giulio Regeni, a judicial source said.
Myanmar religion minister says Rohingya ‘brainwashed’ to ‘march’ on the country
Myanmar’s Minister for Religion on Tuesday said Rohingya Muslim refugees living in neighboring Bangladesh are being “brainwashed” into “marching” on the Buddhist-majority nation, amid a diplomatic feud over the fate of the persecuted minority.
North Korean and Syrian foreign ministers meet in Damascus
Syria and North Korea’s foreign ministers met in Damascus on Tuesday, officials said, and thanked each other for their support during years of international isolation.
Fifteen migrants die in boat off Libya, Egyptian survivor says
Fifteen migrants have died in a boat off the Libyan coast after spending 12 days at sea without food or water, an Egyptian survivor said on Tuesday.
Pakistan’s aid group clampdown could hit 11 million people, diplomats say
Pakistan’s expulsion of 18 international aid agencies will hurt 11 million aid recipients in a South Asian nation grappling with perilously low standards of education and healthcare, two Western diplomats said on Tuesday.
Malaysia seeks return of airspace control amid Singapore flight path dispute
Malaysia has told Singapore it intends to take back control of airspace that the city-state has managed since 1974 amid a dispute over a flight path to a secondary airport in Singapore, Malaysia’s transport minister said on Tuesday.
