Kenya arrests gold-loving Nairobi governor on suspicion of corruption
Kenyan police arrested the Nairobi County governor, known for his chunky gold jewelery and impromptu raps, on Friday on corruption charges, a high profile move in the government’s much trumpeted anti-graft push.
Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric says new PM must be chosen without foreign interference
Iraq’s top Shi’ite Muslim cleric said on Friday that a new prime minister must be chosen without foreign interference after the incumbent Adel Abdul Mahdi announced his resignation a week ago.
France says U.S. proposal on international tax reform unacceptable
France rejects a U.S. proposal this week that would let companies opt out of a proposed international tax reform, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday, urging Washington to negotiate in good faith.
Factbox: Reactions, comments on killing of four men accused of rape in India
Indian police shot dead four men on Friday who allegedly raped and killed a 27-year-old veterinarian in the city of Hyderabad, drawing applause from her family and many Indians outraged by a fresh series of gruesome crimes against women.
North Korea to launch medical tourism, targeting visitors from China
North Korea, one of the world’s most reclusive states, plans to branch out into medical tourism next year, offering foreign visitors, most likely from China, treatments including cataract surgery, dental implants and therapy for tumors.
Hong Kong police chief calls for peace ahead of weekend protest march
Hong Kong’s police chief has urged citizens to demonstrate peacefully ahead of an expected large turnout on Sunday for a pro-democracy march that organizers said aimed to show the movement retained strong momentum.
Activist Thunberg completes intercontinental dash to Madrid climate summit
Greeted by a group of singing young activists and the massed ranks of the world’s media, Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg arrived at the U.N. climate summit in Madrid on Friday, having taken a catamaran, train and electric car to reach the venue.
Postponed Hong Kong Open to be held next month: organizers
The Hong Kong Open golf tournament, which was postponed last month amid violence from escalating anti-government protests, will go ahead in January but without sanctioning by the European Tour, organizers said on Friday.
Factbox: Statistics on rape in India and some well-known cases
Indian police shot dead four men on Friday who were suspected of raping and killing a 27-year-old veterinarian in the city of Hyderabad, a police official told Reuters, drawing applause from her family and citizens outraged over crimes against women.
Fears grow about Sydney after Australia fires merge into giant blaze
Bushfires fanned by winds combined into a single giant blaze north of Sydney late on Friday, blanketing Australia’s biggest city in hazardous smoke, causing weekend sports games to be canceled and prompting calls for outdoor workers to stay home.
