Saudi royal says crown prince is here to stay

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A prominent Saudi royal said Saturday that whether or not heads of state gathered in Argentina next week for the Group of 20 summit warmly engage with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he is someone “that they have to deal with.”

Prince Turki al-Faisal told The Associated Press the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul last month is “an unacceptable incident that tars and mars the long record of Saudi Arabia’s own standing in the world.”

N Ireland party leader rejects Brexit deal

BRUSSELS (AP) — The leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party has used her keynote speech at the annual conference to reject the British government’s planned Brexit deal.

Arlene Foster said in Belfast on Saturday that the deal agreed by Prime Minister Theresa May is unacceptable and must be improved upon in the weeks ahead.

Foster’s view is important because the DUP provides crucial votes that help keep May’s Conservative Party in power despite its minority position in Parliament.

China supports necessary WTO reforms

BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- China supports necessary reforms of the World Trade Organization (WTO), raising three fundamental principles and five proposals concerning such improvements, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said Friday.

The multilateral trading system is now challenged by unilateralism and trade protectionism, Wang Shouwen, vice minister of commerce, told a press conference.

Indonesian plane crash: Body of Indian pilot identified

New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) Indonesian authorities have identified the body of Indian pilot Bhavye Suneja who captained the ill-fated Indonesian plane that crashed into the sea on October 29.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a tweet, announced about identification of Suneja's body.

"Indonesian authorities have confirmed identification of the body of Capt.Bhavya Suneja. The remains will be handed over to the family in the presence of @IndianEmbJkt today. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," she tweeted.

Italy confiscates 1.5 billion euros of Mafia boss' property

ROME (AP) — Anti-Mafia authorities in Sicily on the trail of the No. 1 fugitive Mafia boss have confiscated 1.5 billion euros ($1.67 billion) in property.

The seizure of tourist resorts, a 21-meter (70-foot) yacht, companies and other property Saturday was called one of the biggest hauls in Italy’s strategy to weaken criminal syndicates by going after ill-gained wealth.

The property belonged to heirs of a tour company owner who authorities allege had links to Mafia boss.

Bahrain heads to polls amid boycott calls

24 Nov 2018; AFP: Bahrainis headed to the polls Saturday amid calls to boycott the parliamentary election in which dissolved opposition groups have been banned from taking part.

The country's two main opposition groups, the Shiite Al-Wefaq and secular Waad, were barred from fielding candidates, prompting renewed calls for a boycott.

The polls opened at 8am local time (0500 GMT) and are set to close at 8pm.

Yemen's Houthi rebels pledge to attend peace talks in Sweden

SANAA, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saturday pledged to attend the upcoming peace talks in Sweden, a Houthi chief said.

The commitment was made by Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of Houthi revolutionary committee, during his meeting with visiting UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths in Sanna.

"Griffiths received affirm confirmation from the revolution to support peace efforts and attend peace talks," al-Houthi said in a statement.

"Griffiths told me that he bears good impression from his yesterday's visit to Hodeidah," he added.

France to return African treasures to Benin

24 Nov 2018; AFP: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday agreed to return 26 cultural artefacts to Benin "without delay", a move that could put pressure on other former colonial powers to return African artworks to their countries of origin.

The decision -- which Macron said should not be seen as an isolated or symbolic case -- came as the president received the findings of a study he commissioned on repatriating African treasures held by French museums.

India: J&K parties condemn civilian's killing in firing

Srinagar, Nov 23 (PTI) Political parties on Saturday condemned the killing of a civilian in a firing incident near an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district and called for a probe into the incident.

Ishfaq Ahmad Ganaie was injured in the firing near the camp of the 50 Rashtriya Rifles at Chattergam area of Budgam in central Kashmir on Friday. He succumbed to injuries at a hospital here on Saturday morning, police said.

Clashes on Champs-Elysees as French protesters rage against taxes

24 Nov 2018; AFP: Anti-government protesters clashed with French police on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Saturday, leaving the area cloaked in tear gas and smoke from fires on a fresh day of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron.

Demonstrators wearing the yellow, high-visibility vests that symbolise their movement threw projectiles at police preventing them from moving along the famed shopping avenue, which was decked out in twinkling Christmas lights.

India: Ayodhya turns into fortress on eve of Dharam Sabha

Ayodhya, Nov 24 (PTI) A day before the Dharam Sabha called by the Vishva Hindu Parishad, Ayodhya was virtually turned into fortress with multiple layers of security and deployment of drones to keep an eye on possible mischief- mongers.

A UP Police spokesperson said one additional DGP, one deputy inspector general (DIG), three senior superintendents of police (SSPs), 10 additional SPs, 21 deputy SPs, 160 inspectors, 700 constables, 42 companies of PAC, five companies of RAF, ATS commandos and drones were deployed here.

India: Muslim farmer's buffaloes worth Rs 4 lakh looted in UP

Muzaffarnagar Nov 24 (PTI) Six armed men allegedly looted buffaloes of a farmer worth Rs 4 lakh after holding him and his wife hostage in Shamli district's Gangeru village, police said Saturday.

The incident took place Friday night. The farmer, Gaffar Ahmed, was sleeping near the bovines when the six men came in a vehicle. They held him and his wife hostage and took the buffaloes.

Police has launched a hunt to nab the accused.

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