North Korean defectors decry South’s expulsion of two fishermen
South Korea’s expulsion of two North Korean fishermen set a bad precedent that has spread fears in the North Korean defector community and could lend legitimacy to its widely criticized judicial system, defectors and activists said on Friday.
China says killing of Islamic State leader is progress, much work remains
The United States’ killing of Islamic State’s leader is important progress, but the world should not rest on its laurels in the fight against terrorism, China’s special envoy to the Middle East said on Friday.
Iran quake kills at least six, injures 300: TV
A strong earthquake of magnitude 5.8 struck northwestern Iran on Friday, killing at least six people and injuring more than 300, according to Iranian state media.
United Kingdom might not exist in a decade, half of UK citizens think: poll
The United Kingdom might not exist in its current form in a decade’s time, half of its citizens believe, an Ipsos MORI poll found.
Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric says security forces responsible for keeping protests peaceful
Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric said on Friday that it was up to the security forces to make sure protests do not descend into further violence, and urged the government to respond to demonstrators’ demands as soon as possible.
China renews attack on Pompeo, says Communist Party criticism ‘dangerous’
China’s Foreign Ministry launched a renewed attack on U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, saying that his recent criticism of the Chinese Communist Party was “extremely dangerous” and exposed his “sinister intentions”.
China hopes Vietnam does not ‘complicate’ South China Sea issue
China called on Vietnam on Friday not to “complicate” the South China Sea issue, after a senior official in Vietnam said it could explore legal action, among various options, in its territorial dispute with China over the waters.
Philippines VP calls for revamped drug war to end ‘senseless killings’
The opposition leader put in charge of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs said on Friday it was time to reassess a campaign that was fraught with senseless killings and had failed to curtail a staggering rise in addiction.
Romania’s anti-graft president likely to be re-elected
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is widely expected to win a first round of presidential elections on Sunday, with pledges to rekindle anti-graft efforts in one of Europe’s most corrupt nations.
China jails former Japanese politician for life in drugs case
A court in southern China on Friday sentenced a 76-year-old Japanese former politician to life in jail for attempting to smuggle out drugs in a suitcase in 2013.
