World briefs

TAIWAN  Tens of thousands of people gathered in Taiwan’s capital over the weekend for the city’s annual gay pride parade ahead of referendums next month that will determine whether same-sex marriages will be recognized on the island.

THAILAND The main political party that will oppose Thailand’s ruling military government voted in new leadership yesterday as it prepares for elections scheduled for early next year.

JAPAN-INDIA The leaders of Japan and India are reaffirming their ties amid growing worries about trade and regional stability. Relations with China are a major issue shared by Modi and Abe, as their cooperation may balance China’s growing regional influence and military assertiveness.

SAUDI ARABIA’s top diplomat said that the global outcry and media focus on the killing of a Saudi journalist earlier this month has become “hysterical” as he urged the public to wait for the results of an investigation before ascribing blame to the kingdom’s top leadership.

PAKISTAN’s top court has reinstated a ban on the broadcast of Indian TV content following a petition from local producers.

GEORGIA  Voters in Georgia are choosing a new president for the former Soviet republic on the Black Sea, the last time the president will be elected by direct ballot.

GREECE  Officials surveyed damage on the Greek island of Zakynthos after a powerful earthquake that was felt as far as Libya jolted western Greece. The magnitude-6.5 undersea quake overnight triggered a tsunami warning that ended several hours later. No serious damage or injuries were reported

ALBANIA’s interior minister has resigned as the Balkan nation tries to better tackle widespread corruption and drug trafficking.

GERMANY A hot, dry summer has left German rivers and lakes at record low water levels, causing chaos for the inland shipping industry, environmental damage and billions of euros in losses.

ARGENTINA The International Monetary Fund on Friday increased to USD56.3 billion a $50 billion it had granted to Argentina in June. Argentine President Mauricio Macri is trying to halt economic turmoil that has caused the steep depreciation of the Argentine peso and that is why earlier this year he sought help from the IMF for the first time in two decades.