Bahrain jailing of leading campaigner Rajab unlawful: U.N. experts
Bahrain’s detention of activist Nabeel Rajab is unlawful and violates his right to freedom of expression, U.N. human rights experts have found, calling on the kingdom to release him immediately with compensation.
If rupee slump persists, it can hurt India’s Modi
The rupee’s plunge to a record low has worried a wide cross-section of India’s society: companies, importers, those going on vacation and students planning to study overseas. But if the weakness persists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s job could become…
Poland’s president vetoes altered election rules
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday he would veto a law proposed by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party that would benefit bigger parties such as PiS and its main opposition grouping in European Parliament elections next year.
U.S. hits Chinese and Russian firms over North Korea sanctions breach
The United States imposed sanctions on a Russian port service agency and Chinese firms for aiding North Korean ships and selling alcohol and tobacco to Pyongyang in breach of U.S. sanctions.
U.N. agency says schools for Palestinian refugees to open on time despite U.S. cut
Schools teaching half a million Palestinian refugees will reopen across the Middle East as planned later this month, a U.N. agency said on Thursday, despite funding cuts by its biggest donor the United States.
Malaysian parliament throws out law against ‘fake news’
Malaysia’s parliament on Thursday repealed a law against “fake news” introduced this year by the administration of former prime minister Najib Razak.
Mali president Keita wins re-election with 67 percent of vote
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita won re-election with 67 percent of the vote in a run-off against opposition rival Soumaila Cisse, the Ministry of Territorial Administration said on Thursday.
Tonga PM fears asset seizures as Pacific debts to China mount
Pacific island nations are holding talks which could lead to a coordinated request that China forgive mounting debts in the region amid concerns Beijing may start seizing strategic assets, Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva said on Thursday.
Investors shun Italy bridge operator after disaster
Italy’s biggest toll-road operator came under heavy stock-market attack on Thursday after Rome criticized it for a deadly bridge collapse this week, moving to revoke its concession and accusing it of failing to ensure the viaduct’s safety.
Turkish lira firms before finance minister’s presentation
The Turkish lira strengthened more than 3 percent on Thursday before a presentation by Finance Minister Berat Albayrak to investors, shrugging off U.S. comments ruling out the removal of steel tariffs on Turkey even if it frees a U.S. pastor.
