German defense minister apologizes over criticism of military
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen apologized for the tone of her criticism of the military over its handling of a racism case, as she sought to contain a divisive furore in the build up to national elections.
Chinese navy hands over three pirates to Somali authorities
BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) – A Chinese navy ship handed over three suspected pirates to Somali authorities on Friday, police said, underscoring the determination of international naval forces to stamp out a resurgence of piracy this year.
Young protester dies, taking Venezuela unrest death toll to 37
CARACAS (Reuters) – A 20-year-old Venezuelan protester died on Friday after being shot in the head, authorities said, taking fatalities from a month of anti-government unrest to at least 37 as the opposition geared up for more demonstrations.
Mexican drug lord ‘El Chapo’ gets April 2018 U.S. trial date
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A U.S. judge has scheduled the trial of Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman — for years his country’s most wanted man — on drug trafficking and conspiracy charges for April 16, 2018.
Turkey sacks 107 judges, prosecutors over links to failed coup: media
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey dismissed 107 judges and prosecutors over alleged links to a failed coup in July last year, Turkish television reported on Friday, in the third major purge since President Tayyip Erdogan was granted sweeping new powers.
Russia says Syria de-escalation deal takes effect at midnight
(This version of the story corrects the second paragraph to clarify Idlib is not the first de-escalation zone)
Spooked by Trump, Central American immigrants turn to Mexico
TENOSIQUE, Mexico (Reuters) – Cradling her newborn son in a steamy migrant shelter near the Guatemalan border, Concepcion Bautista says she still plans to reach the United States, but will linger in Mexico to see how U.S. President Donald Trump’s immig…
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi meets Queen Elizabeth for lunch
LONDON (Reuters) – Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi met Britain’s Queen Elizabeth for lunch on Friday at Buckingham Palace.
Berlin would bar Turks voting in Germany on Turkish death penalty
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany said on Friday it would not allow Turks to vote on its territory in any Turkish referendum on reintroduction of the death penalty – a measure proposed by President Tayyip Erdogan after July’s failed army coup attempt.
Local polls boost May five weeks before UK national election
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Conservative Party made strong gains in local elections on Friday, suggesting Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit strategy is winning over voters who should hand her an easy victory in a parliamentary poll next month.
