Saudi-led coalition orders halt in assault on Yemen’s Hodeidah: sources
The Saudi-led coalition has ordered a halt in its offensive against Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen’s main port city of Hodeidah, three sources told Reuters on Thursday.
UK PM’s Brexit deal is ‘good news’, says French finance minister
French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday that British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal was “good news”, adding that it was in everyone’s interest that the Brexit process proceeded smoothly.
EU summit to endorse Brexit deal to take place on November 25
European Union leaders will meet on Nov 25 to endorse the divorce deal with Britain and a political declaration on the future relationship, the chairman of EU summits Donald Tusk said on Thursday.
Sri Lanka grinds to political halt amid parliamentary chaos
Sri Lanka appeared to have ground to a political halt on Thursday, with the speaker of parliament saying there was no functioning prime minister or cabinet after a no-confidence vote the previous day.
Denmark withholds Tanzania aid money over human rights, homophobia concerns
Tanzania’s second-biggest donor Denmark will withhold a large part of the aid money it pays to the country amid concerns over human rights and “unacceptable homophobic comments” made by a government official, the Danish development minister told parlia…
Hong Kong freedoms under scrutiny as ‘Occupy’ democracy leaders face trial
Nine leaders of Hong Kong’s 2014 civil disobedience “Occupy Central” movement go on trial on Monday at a time when the Chinese-ruled financial hub’s civil liberties are coming under increasing strain.
North Korean defectors see uncertain future in Korean reconciliation
Thae Yong Ho, one of the highest profile North Koreans to defect in recent years, had hoped to visit New York last month to speak on a United Nations panel, meet U.S. envoys, and discuss human rights in the reclusive Asian nation.
Exclusive: U.S. troop levels at Mexico border likely at peak – commander
The number of U.S. troops at the border with Mexico may have peaked at about 5,800, the U.S. commander of the mission told Reuters, noting he would start looking next week at whether to begin sending forces home or perhaps shifting some to new border p…
Exclusive: In rare coordinated move, Western envoys seek meeting on Xinjiang concerns
A group of 15 Western ambassadors in Beijing, spearheaded by Canada, are seeking a meeting with the top official in China’s restive, heavily Muslim Xinjiang region for an explanation of alleged rights abuses against ethnic Uighurs.
Pence says Trump to meet North Korea’s Kim in 2019; won’t allow broken promises
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday President Donald Trump plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the new year but won’t repeat past mistakes of allowing promises to be broken on pledges to end arms programs.
