Wintry weather, diplomacy cool down Gaza border protests
A seasonal shift in the weather and intensified international diplomacy are prompting Palestinians mounting protests along Gaza’s border with Israel to rethink their tactics.
Dutch offer temporary shelter to lawyer of freed Pakistani Christian
The Dutch government said on Thursday it had offered temporary shelter to the lawyer who helped free a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan.
Rohingya crisis, Suu Kyi under the microscope at Southeast Asia summit
The customary cordiality of Southeast Asian summits may be missing when the region’s leaders meet next week due to sharp differences over Myanmar, whose military has been accused of genocide against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority.
Clashes between Taliban and Shia minority raise fears of Afghan sectarian war
The Taliban have infiltrated a strategic district in southeastern Afghanistan and fought with members of the Shi’ite Hazara minority, officials said on Thursday, a week after militants and a Shi’ite militia clashed in a central province.
Merkel ally poised to win center-right backing for EU’s top job
A reserved Bavarian who has modeled himself on Germany’s pragmatic chancellor is set to win the backing of Europe’s center-right parties on Thursday to stand in the race to become European Commission president, according to voting projections.
China shuns rivalry in Pacific as Australia says ‘this is our patch’
Beijing and Canberra should be cooperating in the South Pacific and not be cast as strategic rivals, China’s top diplomat said on Thursday, after Australia launched a multi-billion dollar fund to counter China’s rising influence in the region.
Italy’s coalition reaches deal over statute of limitations: lawmaker
Italy’s ruling parties on Thursday reached a deal over removing time limits on trials, an issue which had threatened to unravel the coalition government.
South African anti-graft watchdog investigating Ramaphosa ally Gordhan
South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog said on Thursday that it was investigating Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, a close ally of President Cyril Ramaphosa, for allegedly abusing his powers during his time as finance minister.
Sudan, U.S. to hold more talks on removing Khartoum from terrorism sponsor list
Sudan said on Thursday it had reached agreement with the United States on a second phase of talks aimed at removing it from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Tajik security forces kill at least 13 inmates in prison riot: security sources
Tajik security forces have killed at least 13 inmates at a high-security prison in the northern city of Khujand where a riot broke out late on Wednesday, three security sources said on Thursday.
