Italy government agrees on 2.4 percent deficit-gdp target for 2019: source
Italy’s government has agreed to target next year’s budget deficit at 2.4 percent of gross domestic product, a source in the prime minister’s office said on Thursday, ending a tussle between the ruling parties and the economy minister.
Three Saudis accused of terrorism killed in Shi’ite Muslim Qatif region: security official
Three Saudi men accused of terrorism were killed on Wednesday after they resisted arrest in the eastern Shi’ite Muslim region of Qatif, a Saudi security spokesman said on Thursday.
Kremlin on Skripal suspect identification: ‘Many people look alike’
The Kremlin on Thursday cast doubt on photographs that appeared to show a suspect in the Skripal poisoning case was a Russian intelligence officer, saying that “many people look alike.”
Germany’s Merkel: Human rights an issue in talks with Erdogan
Germany has an interest in an economically stable Turkey, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday, adding that she also wanted to discuss critical issues such as human rights during her upcoming talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
Brazil’s female stars ‘brainwashed’ against Bolsonaro: running mate
Brazilian celebrities who joined millions of women in a campaign against far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro have been “brainwashed,” with his low female support explained by women taking their time to shop around, his running mate told Reuters.
Merkel ‘categorically’ rules out coalition with far-right AfD
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday her center-right Christian Democrats (CDU) should not share power with the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Israel accuses Iran of concealing nuclear material for weapons program
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday accused Iran of hiding nuclear-related material at a warehouse in Tehran, which he said proved it had not abandoned its nuclear weapons program.
Colombia president hopes to pass agenda without deal-making in Congress
Colombian President Ivan Duque’s campaign promise to eschew traditional deal-making with the legislature may make it hard for him to pass business-friendly tax proposals, modifications to a peace deal with Marxist rebels and other measures that are unp…
Colombia rejects Venezuela as guarantor of peace talks with ELN rebels
Colombia will not accept Venezuela as a guarantor of peace talks if it decides to continue negotiations with Marxist ELN guerrillas, President Ivan Duque said on Thursday, citing the neighboring country’s alleged support for rebel activities.
Egypt probes death of monk from murdered bishop’s monastery
Egyptian prosecutors are investigating the death of a monk who was from the monastery where a bishop was murdered in July, a case that has rattled the biggest church in the Middle East.
