North Korea won’t disarm, says Russian delegation to Pyongyang: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian lawmakers who visited Pyongyang said North Korea was not prepared to disarm, and while it did not want nuclear war it is morally ready for it, Russia’s RIA news agency reported.
Egyptian billionaire denounces Saudi corruption crackdown
ROME (Reuters) – Egyptian billionaire businessman Naguib Sawiris condemned on Friday a crackdown on graft in Saudi Arabia, saying the purge had undermined the rule of law in the Kingdom and would deter investment.
Turks flock to social media for gold trader sanctions case
ANKARA (Reuters) – Allegations of wrongdoing by Turkey’s political and financial leaders have transfixed the country this week, but with some newspapers focusing instead on courtroom conspiracies and clothes, many Turks have been left hungry for news.
Hungary PM Orban, U.S. financier Soros clash as elections loom
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday he would use all means necessary, including secret services, to combat what he called efforts to undermine him by U.S. financier George Soros.
Syrian Kurds hold local elections, press on with autonomy plans
QAMISHLI, Syria (Reuters) – Kurdish-led authorities held local elections on Friday in areas they control in northern Syria, pushing ahead with autonomy plans opposed by both the government of President Bashar al-Assad and by Turkey.
Pope uses word ‘Rohingya’ in public for first time on Asia trip
DHAKA (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Friday used the word “Rohingya” for the first time during his current trip to Asia to refer to refugees who have fled in large numbers from violence in Myanmar.
President Xi says China will not export its political system
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will not export its political system, President Xi Jinping told a forum for foreign political groups on Friday, as the ruling Communist Party seeks to boost its global image and take a more assertive international role.
Spain judge to decide fate of jailed Catalans on Monday
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s Supreme Court judge will decide on Monday whether to release jailed Catalan cabinet members currently in custody after being accused of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds, judicial sources said.
Turkey hopes gold trader Zarrab will ‘turn back from mistake’, PM says
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday he hoped a gold trader cooperating with U.S. prosecutors in the trial of a Turkish banker will “turn back from his mistake”, saying the Iran sanctions-related case targeted Turk…
Exclusive: Former top Brazil prosecutor says successor, police chief slowing graft probes
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Three senior Brazilian law enforcement officials, including the former prosecutor general, said new leaders of the federal police and prosecutors’ offices are curbing an anti-corruption drive that challenged centuries of impunity i…
