LOWDOWN

THE LOWDOWN

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THAILAND announces a general election, breaking a 4-year ban on political activities since the military government took power in a 2014 coup

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INDIA’s Prime Minister NARENDRA MODI is trailing badly in local elections, which analysts say may unite opposition parties ahead of next year’s general elections

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The EU renews sanctions against EMMANUEL RAMADAN SHADARY – chosen successor of DRC President KABILA – two weeks before the historic election; Kabila’s adviser has called the move election-meddling

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RUSSIA overtakes the UK as the world’s second-biggest arms dealer after the US

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FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron concedes a minimum wage rise and tax concessions in an attempt to pacify the gilets janunes (“yellow vests”) rioters

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4 killed, 6 wounded in a Taliban suicide attack in Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

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UK PM Theresa May delays parliamentary vote on Brexit for a last-minute meeting with EU leaders

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IRELAND ramps up plans for no-deal Brexit, recruiting 1,000 customs officials and veterinary inspectors to man the new border

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BRAZIL’s future environment minister says he will keep the country in the Paris Agreement on climate change – despite BOLSONARO’s threats to pull out – if certain conditions are met

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SAUDI ARABIA rejects demands of TURKISH President ERDOGAN to extradite suspects in the murder of JAMAL KASHOGGI

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An alleged RUSSIAN agent has been accused of trying to infiltrate the US NRA (National Rifle Association) and influence US policy towards Russia: she had founded a small group called Right to Bear Arms

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An IRANIAN commander says the country has recently tested a ballistic missile (ballistic missiles are not included in the nuclear deal, one of TRUMP’s criticisms)

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HAKEEM AL-ARAIBI, a 25-year-old footballer and refugee in AUSTRALIA, is facing extradition to BAHRAIN after being detained in THAILAND for vandalism charges: he claims he will be tortured if extradited

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ITALIAN government passes Decree-Law on Immigration and Security, abolishing former rights for asylum-seekers and refugees

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Two Californian nuns steal $500,000 from a school for a trip to Vegas

 

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