Russia frees jailed actor pending appeal after public outcry
A Moscow court on Friday ruled to release Pavel Ustinov, an actor whose conviction over an opposition protest has sparked a public outcry.
Russia widens Jehovah’s Witnesses crackdown with new jailings
Russia has widened a crackdown against Jehovah’s Witnesses, jailing six adherents of the Christian denomination for extremism in a move rights activists said was unjust and flouted religious freedom.
Philippines’ Duterte orders shunning of loans, grants from backers of U.N. drug war probe
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed all departments and state-run firms to halt negotiations and agreements on grants and loans from countries that have backed a U.N. investigation into his bloody war on drugs.
Lebanese PM after Macron talks: France working to reduce escalation after Aramco attack
France is working to “reduce the escalation” following an attack on Saudi oil installations, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Friday following talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Indonesia president orders delay in vote on criticized criminal code
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Friday ordered a delay in a parliamentary vote on revisions to the criminal code, which has been criticized by rights groups as an assault on basic freedoms.
Russia’s FSB says one detained North Korean poacher died: Ifax
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Friday that one North Korean poacher, captured by Russian border guards in the Sea of Japan, has died, the Interfax news agency reported.
North Korea chief negotiator welcomes Trump’s call for ‘new method’ at talks: KCNA
North Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator welcomed on Friday U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a “new method” be used in talks on Pyongyang’s weapons programs.
Top Iran guards commander threatens broad response to any U.S. plots
A senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Friday Iran would respond from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean against any U.S. plots, the state news agency IRNA reported, amid heightened tensions after attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.
Imagine no Lennon Walls: pro-China groups to erase HK graffiti
A pro-Beijing lawmaker has called for a Clean Hong Kong Day on Saturday, urging supporters to pull down “Lennon Walls” of anti-government graffiti across the Chinese-ruled city, a possible flashpoint in more than three months of unrest.
Taiwan says China lures Kiribati with airplanes after losing another ally
China offered airplanes and ferries to lure the Pacific island nation of Kiribati into switching diplomatic relations, Taiwan said on Friday, as the self-ruled island lost a second ally to Chinese pressure in less than a week.
