MOSCOW—Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for a sixth term in a surprise inauguration ceremony, catching his opponents off guard and depriving them of an opportunity to stage another mass protest against the handling of last month’s election. Several hundred people were invited to Wednesday’s ceremony in the capital, Minsk, including senior officials, members … Read more
Saudi Arabia plans to reopen the two holiest sites in Islam to pilgrims in October, seven months after it suspended visits to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as it attempts to revive its floundering economy. The kingdom curtailed visits to the main mosques in Mecca and Medina in March after religious gatherings emerged as … Read more
BRUSSELS—In a troubled part of West Africa, Europe is fielding a military force intended to show it can handle its own security and reduce its reliance on the U.S. The coalition of European countries, led by France, is assembling based on a calculation that helping each other overseas will cement security and defense back in Europe. But the … Read more
The coronavirus’s resurgence is weighing on service providers in Europe and Asia, even as factories continue to report a strengthening recovery from spring’s sharp declines in output. Surveys of purchasing managers in France, Germany and Japan pointed to a decline in activity at businesses that provide services during September, an indication that the global economy … Read more
BERLIN—Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been discharged from the hospital after being treated for what scientists said was exposure to the military grade nerve agent Novichok, Berlin’s Charité Hospital said Wednesday. He was discharged Tuesday night after 24 days in the intensive-care unit, the hospital said. He had been receiving treatment in the German … Read more
BEIRUT—A large explosion shook a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, sending a thick plume of smoke over a country still reeling from the deadly Beirut explosion last month that devastated parts of the capital. Smoke was seen rising from the area surrounding the towns of Ain Qana and Kafarfila, the state-run National News … Read more
The World Economic Forum won’t be meeting in Davos at all in 2021 after initially postponing its annual session in January because of the coronavirus crisis, and it is now looking at other locations elsewhere in Switzerland for the gathering. The yearly event in the Swiss alpine town is a highlight of the international business … Read more
LONDON—British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a series of new coronavirus restrictions for England, including earlier pub-closing times, as his government tries to quell a second wave of infections while avoiding another economically damaging nationwide lockdown. In an address to Parliament, Mr. Johnson unveiled both tightening and tougher enforcement of social-distancing rules, with fines of … Read more
President Trump used a virtual speech at the United Nations General Assembly to assail China on Tuesday, blaming Beijing for the coronavirus pandemic that has stricken the world while weighing on the global economy. “The United Nations must hold China accountable for their actions,” Mr. Trump said. Mr. Trump, facing a re-election challenge while grappling … Read more
HONG KONG—A Beijing court sentenced an influential businessman known for his outspoken criticism of China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to 18 years in prison, meting out harsh punishment in a corruption case that is likely to chill dissent within the Chinese political elite. Ren Zhiqiang, 69 years old, was sentenced Tuesday after being convicted of corruption, … Read more