Healthcare may trump Brexit in battle for British vote
As Britain’s “Brexit election” campaign swings into action, it may not be the country’s exit from the European Union which takes center stage but another national obsession – the health service.
U.S. agents at Guatemala checkpoints see holes in border security
At a highway checkpoint in central Guatemala, 10 U.S. officers in caps and sunglasses and packing concealed weapons watched as local border agents flagged down vehicles, inspected documents and prepared to fingerprint any undocumented migrants.
Lines but no panic as Lebanese banks re-open after two-week hiatus
Lebanese banks opened on Friday for the first time in two weeks following a wave of protests that prompted the prime minister’s resignation, with lines building at some branches where customers encountered new curbs on transfers abroad.
Hong Kong protesters plan huge march after gatecrashing Halloween
Hong Kong protesters planned flash mob demonstrations in shopping malls on Friday after a night of clashes in a central bar district as prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong called for 100,000 people to take to the streets on Saturday.
South Korea seeks tougher penalties against child porn after dark web site bust
South Korea is moving to clarify its definition of child pornography and increase sentences for people convicted of owning such imagery following a global investigation into a South Korea-based dark web site, a draft bill showed on Friday.
China calls for businesses to shut down e-cigarette online shops
China’s tobacco regulator on Friday issued a notice asking e-commerce platforms and businesses to shut online stores that sell electronic cigarette products, in a move aimed at stopping minors from purchasing e-cigarettes through the internet.
Russia says not enough time left to draft new START arms control treaty: Ifax
Russia’s foreign ministry said on Friday there was no longer enough time left for Moscow and Washington to draft a replacement to the New START nuclear arms control treaty before it expires in 2021, the Interfax news agency reported.
China to ‘perfect’ Hong Kong leader appointment system, warns on national security
China will “perfect” the way the leader of Hong Kong is appointed and replaced, and won’t tolerate separatism or threats to national security there, a senior Chinese official said on Friday after a meeting of the top leadership.
U.S. treasury secretary to hold talks in India as pressure builds on Iran
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will hold talks with Indian leaders in New Delhi on Friday, Indian official said, as part of a tour to build support against Iran over its nuclear program and its ties to militant networks.
Hungary abandons plan for administrative courts, justice minister says
Hungary’s government has abandoned plans to set up separate administrative courts, but it will pass legislation to speed up administrative court cases, Justice Minister Judit Varga told state news agency MTI late on Thursday.
