Pakistan cuts Chinese ‘Silk Road’ rail project by $2 billion due to debt concerns
Islamabad has cut the size of the biggest Chinese “Silk Road” project in Pakistan by $2 billion, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed said on Monday, citing government concerns about the country’s debt levels.
Tens of thousands gather for Catalan referendum anniversary
Tens of thousands of Catalans filled central Barcelona on Monday to mark the first anniversary of an ill-fated independence referendum, as protesters made short-lived attempts to block roads and train tracks in the northeastern region.
Namibian president wants land expropriated to boost black ownership
Namibia’s president called on Monday for a change to the constitution to allow the government to expropriate land and re-distribute it to the majority black population.
Micronesia air crash turns fatal as passenger’s body found: airline
The body of a passenger on a flight that crashed short of the runway on the tiny Pacific island nation of Micronesia last week has been discovered by divers, operator Air Niugini said on Monday in contrast to its initial report that all had survived.
U.S., Sweden and Italy bid to supply Bulgaria with fighter jets
The United States, Sweden and Italy have filed bids to supply Bulgaria with eight fighter jets aimed at replacing its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s, in a tender estimated at 1.8 billion levs ($1 billion), the defense ministry said on Monday.
Brexit Secretary Raab says: We will not accept two UK customs regimes
Prime Minister Theresa May’s government will not accept two different customs regimes in the United Kingdom after Brexit so the European Union needs to show less dry legalism in talks on Northern Ireland, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said.
Nigeria’s Buhari promises 2019 elections will be fair after regional vote criticized
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari sought to reassure voters that next year’s elections would be free and fair on Monday after the opposition and international observers raised concerns over the way a gubernatorial vote was conducted last week.
Palestinians strike in support of Israel’s Arab minority
Palestinians across the occupied West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem held a general strike on Monday in support of an Israeli-Arab protest against Israel’s new Nation State Law.
Russia calls on South Korea to release vessel held at Busan port
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned South Korea’s ambassador in Moscow on Monday and demanded that Seoul allow a Russian vessel to leave South Korea’s port of Busan, the ministry said.
Three die after Somalia car bomb strikes EU convoy: police
Three people were killed in a suicide car bombing by Islamist group al Shabaab which hit a European Union armored convoy in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Monday, police and an emergency service worker said.
