Exclusive: Maldives set to pull out of China free trade deal, says senior lawmaker
The Maldives’ new government will pull out of a free trade agreement (FTA) with China because it was a mistake for the tiny nation to strike such a pact with the world’s second biggest economy, the head of the largest party in the ruling alliance said….
Nigerian opposition’s Abubakar to boost oil investment if wins election: manifesto
Nigerian opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar will seek to boost investment in the oil sector if he becomes president next year, according to a draft copy of his manifesto.
Israeli coalition crisis eases, making early election less likely
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition crisis eased on Monday when a coalition partner backed off a demand to be given the defense ministry, making an early election less likely.
From rugby to painting, China using global stage to diminish Taiwan
All Taiwan wanted to do was to host rugby teams from around the region for a series of matches.
Nigerian opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar seeks to boost oil investments: draft manifesto
Nigerian opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar will seek to boost investment in the country’s oil sector if he becomes president next year, according to a draft copy of his manifesto.
Rouhani says Iran to continue oil exports and resist U.S. economic war
Iran will continue to export oil despite U.S. sanctions, which are part of a psychological war doomed to failure, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday.
No better Brexit deal available, EU ministers tell Britain
Germany and other European Union states told Britain on Monday their draft Brexit agreement could not be renegoitated.
Taliban say no pact struck with U.S. over deadline to end Afghan war
A three-day meeting between the Taliban and the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan to pave the way for peace talks ended with no agreement, the militant group said a day after the diplomat declared a deadline of April 2019 to end a 17-year-long war.
UK could ask for Brexit transition beyond 2020, business minister says
The United Kingdom could ask for a longer Brexit transition period if needed, Business Secretary Greg Clark said on Monday, not ruling out the possibility it could last until 2022.
Ten years’ jail term for Chinese author of homoerotic novel sparks outcry
A Chinese court’s 10-year jail term for an author of a homoerotic book found guilty of profiting from selling “obscene” literature has been met with disbelief among some internet users who question how the crime could warrant so severe a punishment.
