African states bid to stop work of U.N. gay rights investigator
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – African states launched a bid at the United Nations on Friday to halt the work of the first U.N. independent investigator appointed to help protect gay and transgender people worldwide from violence and discrimination.
British PM May confident of Brexit plans, reassures EU leaders
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Theresa May told European Union leaders on Friday she was confident a court ruling that could delay Britain’s departure from the bloc would be overturned and said she would stick to her Brexit timetable.
U.S. acts to block North Korea access to financial system
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Friday formally prohibited U.S. financial institutions from opening or maintaining accounts created on behalf of North Korean banks, extending sanctions imposed on the isolated Asian country over its nuclear…
Foreign help building Eritrea bases violates embargo: U.N. experts
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – United Nations sanctions monitors warned in an annual report released on Friday that possible foreign support for a new military base and seaport in Eritrea and the presence of foreign weapons and equipment were likely in vio…
Rebel-held zone of Syria’s Aleppo braces for renewed bombardment
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian rebels and civilians showed no sign of leaving the besieged opposition-held sector of Aleppo on Friday, despite a Russian deadline to resume bombing Syria’s largest city at nightfall after a 17-day pause.
Benin authorities charge politician over cocaine haul
COTONOU (Reuters) – Authorities in Benin on Friday charged prominent politician Sebastien Ajavon with drug trafficking in connection with a haul of 18 kg (40 pounds) of cocaine found last week in a shipping container.
Tears and joy as families fleeing Mosul reunite with relatives
AL-KHAZER, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqis fleeing the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul reunited with their families on Friday, holding hands through the wire fence of a refugee camp and lifting up new babies for their relatives to see.
Cyprus’s president says hopes to bridge chasm in peace talks next week
NICOSIA (Reuters) – Cyprus’s president said on Friday significant differences remained between Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the ethnically-split island but he hoped talks next week could resolve some outstanding issues.
Quake shakes Chile’s capital Santiago: Reuters witness
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – A quake rattled Chile’s capital Santiago on Friday, shaking buildings, according to Reuters witnesses.
Philippines’ Duterte says drugs flow slows, vents at U.S. and Soros
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday his war on drugs had cut back the supply to “very low” levels and thanked China for supporting his crackdown, but swore repeatedly at ally the United States for criticizing it.
