EU willing to concede Britain’s demand for a UK-wide backstop: Euronews
The European Union is willing to agree to Britain’s demand to include the whole of the United Kingdom in a backstop customs union if they cannot agree a free-trade deal when the planned transitional arrangement runs out, Euronews reported.
Ethiopia’s PM says soldiers who marched on palace sought to ‘abort reforms’
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday that soldiers who marched on his palace last week had had “nefarious aims” to stop reforms and he defended his relaxed attitude to them at the time saying he had sought to defuse tensions.
Kosovo votes to create national army over Serb objections
Parliament in Kosovo, which relies on NATO troops for its protection, voted on Thursday to set up a 5,000-strong national army though its Serb minority said the move was illegal.
Putin says Islamic State has seized 700 hostages in Syria
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Islamic State militants had seized nearly 700 hostages in part of Syria controlled by U.S.-backed forces and had executed some of them and promised to kill more.
South Korea’s Moon delivers invitation from North Korea for pope to visit
South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Pope Francis on Thursday and the president’s office said he had relayed an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the pope to visit.
Chestnuts, swagger and good grammar: how Italy’s ‘Captain’ builds his brand
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has doubled support for his far-right party in just seven months by cultivating a savvy social media presence that any politician would envy – including his inspiration, Donald Trump.
South Korea’s Moon delivers invitation from North Korean for pope to visit
South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Pope Francis on Thursday and the president’s office said he had given the pope a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inviting the pontiff to visit.
India looks to tighten sexual harassment laws: government officials
India is considering tightening sexual harassment laws, government officials said on Thursday, after an avalanche of complaints of abuse lodged by women in recent weeks thrust the issue to the forefront of politics.
In training with Poland’s volunteer militia
As Poland prepares to mark the centenary of its independence this November, thousands of Poles are training in all weathers for a part-time force meant to help defend the eastern European state from invasion.
A water fight in Chile’s Atacama raises questions over lithium mining
Earlier this year, the world’s two biggest lithium producers publicly celebrated new deals with Chile’s government that will allow them to vastly increase output of the ultralight battery metal from the Atacama, the world’s driest desert.
