Lebanon’s Hezbollah says Hariri must resolve government row
The Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah said on Thursday it was up to Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri to resolve a row over Sunni representation that has obstructed the formation of a new government.
Brexit deal to be published next week, draft timetable cited by Times reporter
The United Kingdom’s Brexit deal with the European Union will be published on Tuesday after the cabinet reviews the deal on Monday, according to a draft timetable being discussed in London, the deputy political editor for The Times said.
Algeria’s Sonatrach appeals to Sufi preachers to give gas plans a lift
After persuading oil majors to help explore Algeria’s vast shale gas reserves, state energy firm Sonatrach has started reaching out to a different kind of partner: mystical Sufi preachers.
Bangladesh’s PM Hasina to seek re-election Dec. 23
Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner said on Thursday that the South Asian nation would hold a general election on Dec. 23, and vowed that the Election Commission would ensure a free and fair election.
India’s ruling BJP turns up Hindu nationalist heat with renamings, statue plan
From getting rid of some Muslim names of places to promising a “grand” statue of the Hindu god Ram, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party is making passionate appeals to its hard-core Hindu nationalist base in the most politically importan…
Syrian army rescues Islamic State hostages: state TV
Syria’s army has freed a group of 19 women and children who were abducted by Islamic State during a raid on the city of Sweida and neighboring villages in July, Syrian state television reported on Thursday.
Italy dismisses ‘implausible’ EU forecasts, says budget is sound
Italy’s government stuck by its economic forecasts on Thursday, dismissing more pessimistic ones from the European Commission as a row over the country’s expansionary 2019 budget rumbled on.
Turkish court hands sentences to journalist for criticizing Erdogan, officials
A Turkish journalist was handed a suspended sentence of two years and five months in prison on Thursday for insulting Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan, a court ruling seen by Reuters showed.
Prince Harry plants cross at London’s Field of Remembrance
Britain’s Prince Harry visited a Field of Remembrance at London’s Westminster Abbey on Thursday to plant a memorial cross, part of a series of events to commemorate the end of World War One a century ago.
Israeli minister mocked in guerrilla-art statue
An Israeli artist erected a statue of Israel’s culture minister outside the national theater on Thursday to protest her bid to cut state funding to artistic bodies she deems unpatriotic.
