South Sudan frees five political detainees: intelligence agency
South Sudan freed five political detainees and prisoners of war on Thursday, although none appeared to be senior rebel officials, a category of captive whose release is required by a peace deal signed last month.
In change of tack, Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi’s murder ‘premeditated’
Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor said on Thursday the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate was premeditated, reversing previous official statements that the killing was unintended.
Turkish police investigating water sample from Saudi consulate well: CNN Turk
Turkish police are investigating water samples taken from a well at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, broadcaster CNN Turk said on Thursday.
French-born woman frontrunner to become Georgia’s new president
A former French ambassador is one of two frontrunners to become the next president of Georgia in an election on Sunday, despite critics questioning her patriotism and language skills.
Pakistan releases two senior Taliban commanders: sources
Pakistan has released one of the co-founders of the Afghan Taliban along with another high-ranking militant commander, senior members of the Taliban said on Thursday, with the freed fighters allowed to reunite with their families.
EU lawmakers push for harder stance in U.N. climate talks
European Union lawmakers voted on Thursday to press EU countries and the European Commission to harden their stance on environmental action ahead of United Nations climate talks in Katowice, Poland in December.
South Africa’s top court ruling curtails power of chiefs to cut mining deals
South Africa’s top court ruled on Thursday that a platinum miner that has a deal with a tribal chief could not evict a group of black farmers, in a decision that could curtail the power of traditional leaders whose deals often disadvantage poor blacks….
Anti-money-laundering body gives Iran until Feb to complete reforms
(Corrects second paragraph of Oct. 19 story to show Tehran had failed to act on nine out 10 of FATF guidelines, from ‘had acted on only nine of 10’.)
China and Japan should safeguard free trade, China’s Li urges
China and Japan should safeguard free trade and anchor global growth, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday, as Japan’s prime minister arrived in Beijing on a visit against a backdrop of trade friction with the United States.
Sudan lifts partial ban on Egyptian imports: president
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said on Thursday he was lifting a partial ban on the import of Egyptian goods, during a visit by his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
