Pope on sensitive trip to Orthodox Bulgaria and North Macedonia
Pope Francis starts a trip on Sunday to Bulgaria and North Macedonia where he will have to tread carefully because of sensitive relations with the dominant Eastern Orthodox Church in the two Balkan countries where Catholics are a tiny minority.
U.N. rights experts cite concern at ‘disproportionate’ Assange detention
United Nations human rights experts voiced concern on Friday at what they called the “disproportionate sentence” of 50 weeks in prison imposed on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for skipping bail in Britain.
Stalemate persists in Tripoli after overnight fighting, more civilians flee
Fighting raged in the battle for the Libyan capital Tripoli on Friday, with neither faction able to secure gains as an offensive by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar entered its fifth week, killing almost 400 people and displacing 50,000.
Bavarian, Austrian conservatives reject Orban’s call to work with populists
The leaders of Austria and Bavaria rejected on Friday a call by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for their center-right group in the European Parliament to ally with populist, nationalist parties ahead of EU elections later this month.
Portuguese lawmakers support teachers over back pay claim
Portugal’s government was under pressure on Friday from a broad alliance of lawmakers to grant teachers salary increases held back over several years since 2005, a payout that could undermine efforts to balance the budget.
The real ‘King and I’ – the story of new Thai king’s famous ancestor
Thailand’s elaborate coronation ceremonies for King Maha Vajiralongkorn this weekend are steeped in history and a showcase for the kingdom’s rich Buddhist culture for the world.
U.S. to return $200 million in 1MDB funds to Malaysia: sources
U.S. authorities will this month return $200 million stolen from Malaysia’s state fund 1MDB, including money from a stake in a luxury New York hotel and from a Hollywood movie producer, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.
Brexit anger? Britain’s two main parties suffer in local election
English voters frustrated with the deadlock over Brexit have punished Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservatives and the main opposition Labour Party in local elections, early results showed on Friday.
Turkey not distancing itself from NATO with Russian missiles deal: minister
Turkey is not distancing itself from the NATO alliance by buying Russian S-400 missile defense systems, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday, adding that Ankara should not be excluded from the F-35 jet project over the purchases.
U.S. showing flexibility on planned Syria safe zone: Turkish minister
The United States is showing some flexibility in its approach to a planned safe zone to be established in northeast Syria along the border with Turkey, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday on broadcaster NTV.
