Germany expels second Vietnamese diplomat over ‘Cold War-style’ abduction
Berlin (Reuters) – Germany said on Friday it had ordered a second Vietnamese embassy official to leave the country, after the alleged kidnapping of a Vietnamese businessman who had applied for asylum and was facing corruption allegations back home.
Venezuela president brings Cuba donation in wake of hurricane
HAVANA (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Cuba on Thursday evening in a surprise visit to bring a donation of goods after Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the Caribbean island, state-run media there said on Friday.
Trump dismisses Facebook ads controversy as part of ‘Russia hoax’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday questioned Facebook Inc’s decision to overhaul how it handles paid political advertisements amid investigations into alleged Russian interference in U.S. elections.
Syrians vote in Kurdish-led regions of north
QAMISHLI, Syria (Reuters) – Syrians voted on Friday in an election organized by the Kurdish-led authorities of northern Syria, the start of a three-phase process to set up new governing institutions that aim to shore up regional autonomy.
Hurricane Maria lashes Turks and Caicos after killing 30 people
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) – Hurricane Maria lashed the Turks and Caicos Islands on Friday after destroying homes, causing widespread flooding, crippling economies and killing at least 30 people on Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands.
Romanian deputy PM Shhaideh investigated for abuse of office
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation against Deputy Prime Minister Sevil Shhaideh for suspected abuse of office in a land transfer case, they said on Friday.
Macron signs French labor reform decrees
PARIS (Reuters) – President Emmanuel Macron formally signed five decrees overhauling France’s labor rules on Friday, the first major economic reforms since he took power in May.
Kenya not at risk of constitutional crisis ahead of election re-run: top legal official
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya will not face a constitutional or political crisis even if a planned re-run of its presidential election is delayed beyond the end of October, the attorney general said on Friday.
U.S. seeks urgent action on Myanmar, while U.N. eyes $200 mln for refugees
YANGON/DHAKA (Reuters) – The United States wants Myanmar to take urgent action to end violence in Rakhine state, where a military offensive has created a crisis that could jeopardize its economic and political transition, a U.S. official said on Friday…
Filipino bishops urge bell-ringing, prayers to protest bloody drugs war
MANILA (Reuters) – Stepping up a campaign against President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, Catholic bishops in the Philippines have called for church bells to be rung for the next 40 nights, and congregations to light candles and pray for the k…
