Graft probe into Mexico president’s ally poses tricky challenge ahead of elections
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – With a tight general election looming next year, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto faces a tough choice on whether to pursue a graft probe involving a prominent ally and Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht.
Researchers raise doubts over cause of Chilean poet Neruda’s death
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – International researchers investigating the death of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda raised doubts on Friday as to whether he died of cancer 44 years ago as previously presumed, and did not rule out foul play.
Venezuela Maduro warns of repeat elections in states won by opposition
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan state elections may be repeated in the five states won by the opposition if the governors-elect continue to refuse to be sworn in by a controversial pro-government legislative superbody, President Nicolas Maduro warned on…
Matchmaker Merkel seeks awkward three-way embrace
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened what promised to be marathon coalition talks on Friday, hoping to bring three opposing political camps into a stable government despite signs there would be less money to paper over differences…
Turkish hunger striker released for remainder of trial
ANKARA (Reuters) – A Turkish teacher who has been on hunger strike for months to protest about losing his job in the government’s purge since a failed coup attempt last year, has been released from jail pending her trial on terrorism-related charges.
Canada’s Liberals look to economy to guide them past ethics scandal
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has been badly shaken by a conflict-of-interest controversy about his finance minister, but the Liberal government’s upcoming fiscal update offers an opportunity to reset the public…
Trump expected to pressure China’s Xi to rein in North Korea: officials
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to pressure China’s president when they meet next month in Beijing to do more to rein in North Korea out of a belief that Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power should give him more authority …
Iraqi forces complete Kirkuk province takeover after clashes with Kurds
BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi forces on Friday took control of the last district in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk still in the hands of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters following a three-hour battle, security sources said.
Death toll from Somalia bombings rises to 358
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – The number killed in twin bombings in the Somali capital Mogadishu last weekend has risen to 358, the government said late on Friday.
Czechs vote for new parliament, wealthy businessman seen as likely next PM
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czechs voted on Friday in an election expected to hand power to businessman Andrej Babis who has won popular support by pledging to sweep aside traditional parties, boost investment and keep out refugees, but faces a criminal probe f…
