Colombia holds peace talks with ELN rebels

As Pakistan waits for elections, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar's alleged proximity to the country's powerful military has raised concerns.

Property mogul-turned-politician Srettha Thavisin will lead a coalition government of former archrivals, while the winner of the election will remain in opposition.

Conservative leader Nunez Feijoo had asked the Socialist Sanchez to back his government formation for two years. Spain faces the threat of remaining in political deadlock, since the July general election.

The leaders of Germany's ruling coalition sought to project unity during a two-day retreat outside Berlin. Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a major tax cut.

On 17 August 2023, popular protests over the high inflation rate and deteriorating economic situation in Syria erupted in the Druze majority city of Al-Suwayda, with hundreds of participants. These grew, and by 20 August, thousands of protesters chanted slogans demanding the downfall of Assad regime.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has seen its lowest approval ratings since coming to power in 2021. The far-right continues to see a surge in support.

In a renewed attempt to broker peace, Colombia's leftist President Petro agreed on a ceasefire with an armed dissident group. The EMC is a splinter group that rejected the 2016 deal broadly honored by the larger FARC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has extensively revised secondary school curricula, removing all mention of the country's Mughal and Muslim history, which spanned some six centuries, as well as the identity of the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi and even Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Apple's market value has tumbled by some $200 billion in the wake of reports that Beijing has banned iPhones among government employees. We take a closer look. Also, Chinese car manufacturers make inroads into the European market, and New York City cracks down on Airbnb.

With India now the world's most populous nation, providing enough jobs for young people represents a major challenge. Since contracts in the private sector do not offer job stability, millions of young Indians are vying for government jobs like those for soldiers, station masters or teachers. Although salaries are modest, these positions provide a job for life with some added benefits.

Gambling in Japan operates in the shadows, yet it accounts for nearly half of sales in the country's leisure sector. And for some, a harmless pastime can turn into a dangerous addiction. About three million Japanese are thought to have experienced a gambling addiction at some point in their lives. Earlier this year, the government approved plans to build Japan's first casino, a long-awaited move that has divided public opinion. Our correspondents report on Japan's troubled relationship with gambling.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his center-left coalition have been plummeting in opinion polls. But a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation finds the government has fulfilled many of its election promises.