Chemical weapons agency: ‘toxic chemical’ used in attack on Syrian rebel town last April
Inspectors have concluded that a “toxic chemical” containing chlorine was used in an attack last April in the Syrian town of Douma, at the time held by rebels but besieged by pro-government forces, the global chemical weapons agency said on Friday.
Easter Islanders seek outside help for iconic statues ‘leprosy’
In just 100 years, the emblematic stone sculptures that guard the coastline of Easter Island could be little more than simple rectangular blocks, conservation experts are warning.
Somali militant siege ends, at least 29 civilians dead
Somali government troops shot dead three Islamist militants holed up in a building in central Mogadishu on Friday, police said, ending a day-long bomb and gun attack that killed at least 29 civilians.
Turkish entertainment TV channel suspends broadcasting, blaming government pressure
Turkish entertainment channel Flash TV said on Friday it would suspend broadcasting due to “unbearable” political and financial pressure from the government.
Lula’s attorneys to seek temporary release after death of grandson
Lawyers for Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said on Friday they will ask courts to release him temporarily from jail so he can attend the funeral of his 7-year-old grandson who died hours earlier.
U.S. increases pressure on Maduro with new sanctions, revokes visas of associates
The United States imposed new sanctions on six Venezuelan security officials and revoked the visas of dozens of associates and their families with ties to President Nicolas Maduro, in the latest move to pile pressure on him to step down.
Venezuela’s Guaido says 600 military officers have abandoned Maduro
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, visiting Paraguay on Friday to raise support for a change of government in his country, said that 600 members of the military had abandoned the government of President Nicolas Maduro in recent days.
Brazil to launch corruption probe into Vale dam disaster
Brazil’s authorities will investigate miner Vale SA over possible corruption in misleading officials about the safety of its dam that burst and killed hundreds, a spokeswoman for the Mines and Energy Ministry said on Friday.
Irish PM says hard Brexit on March 29 unlikely
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Friday that it was unlikely Britain would crash out of the European Union without a deal on March 29.
EU says Poland cannot build Baltic canal without approval
Poland should refrain from building a canal on its Baltic coast before it gets approval from European Commission, an EU official said, after Warsaw failed to assuage the bloc’s concerns about the project during talks in Brussels on Friday.
