Italy’s 5-Star, PD make early progress in talks on new government
The first day of talks between the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the center-left Democratic Party (PD) to form a new Italian government ended on Friday with both sides reporting progress and 5-Star pushing the agenda.
Brazil’s indigenous people swear to fight for Amazon ‘to last drop of blood’
Members of Brazil’s Mura indigenous tribe painted their bodies with orange-red paint and took up long bows and clubs as they headed into the jungle this week, prepared for battle. Their enemy? The deforestation and destruction of their home, the Amazon…
Barnier: EU waiting for ‘realistic, operational & compatible’ proposals from UK
European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said he was ready to examine “realistic” proposals from Britain regarding its departure from the bloc, while reiterating the view that the previously agreed withdrawal deal was the best arrangement possib…
Turkey’s Erdogan to visit Russia on Aug. 27: Turkish presidency
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will make a one-day official visit to Russia on August 27, the Turkish presidency said on Friday, hours after he held a phone call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin to discuss developments in northwestern Syria.
U.S. ‘deeply concerned’ about Brazilian wild fires: official
The U.S. government is deeply concerned about wildfires raging throughout the Brazilian Amazon, a senior White House official said on Friday, as international concern grows over the record number of blazes there this year.
South Africa to roll out sweeping health reform in stages
A proposed move to universal health coverage in South Africa will be rolled out in stages as the budget improves, a senior presidential aide told Reuters, forecasting the landmark reform would cost $2.2 billion per year by 2025/26.
Turkey’s Erdogan says he will discuss Syria’s Idlib with Trump
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday he would discuss developments in northwestern Syria in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming days, as Syrian government forces pressed on with their offensive in the region.
Paris prosecutor opens inquiry into whether Epstein committed crimes in France
The chief prosecutor in Paris has opened a preliminary inquiry to determine whether late U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein committed any sex crimes on French territory or against any underage French victims, prosecutor Remy Heitz’s office said on Friday.
UK warns China travelers of greater checks on Hong Kong/mainland border
Britain updated its advice for travelers to China on Friday to warn them of stricter checks by mainland authorities at the border with the former British territory of Hong Kong.
EU countries agree to share out Ocean Viking migrants
Six European Union countries have agreed to take in the 356 migrants stranded at sea for two weeks aboard the Ocean Viking rescue vessel, ending the latest standoff in the bloc over migration across the Mediterranean.
