‘Firm assurances’ Yemen’s warring parties will attend talks: UN
Yemen’s warring parties have given “firm assurances” that they are committed to attending peace talks to be convened shortly in Sweden, U.N. Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths said on Friday, and pledged to escort the Houthi delegation from Sanaa if needed.
Bulgarian deputy prime minister Simeonov resigns
Bulgarian deputy Prime Minister Valeri Simeonov resigned on Friday after several weeks of street protests over remarks he made about disabled rights activists.
U.S. Justice Dept denies exploring extradition of Erdogan foe to appease Turkey
The U.S. Justice Department on Friday denied that it was planning an extradition deal designed to persuade the Turkish president to ease off on a probe over the killing of a journalist in an Istanbul embassy.
Crowds protest against former Slovak PM’s attack on media
Thousands took to the streets of Slovakia on Friday demanding former prime minister Robert Fico stop public attacks on the media and civil society groups eight months after he was pushed out of office by the furor over the murder of a journalist.
U.S. top diplomat thanks North Korea, Sweden for working to secure American’s release
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thanked North Korea and Sweden for cooperating to secure the release of a U.S. citizen, Bruce Byron Lowrance, who has been detained by Pyongyang since entering the country illegally from China in October.
Brazil markets cheered by pro-business make-up of Bolsonaro team
Investors on Friday welcomed the appointment of Santander executive Roberto Campos to head Brazil’s central bank as a sign President-elect Jair Bolsonaro will entrust economic and monetary policy to a market-friendly team of economists.
Merkel tells people of Chemnitz: Don’t let haters set the agenda
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday urged people to stand up against hatred and reject “lies” about a U.N. migration accord during her first visit to the city of Chemnitz since a spate of far-right violence that tarnished Germany’s image abroad.
Twelve Congolese soldiers killed in clashes this week in Ebola-hit east
Twelve Congolese soldiers were killed alongside seven U.N peacekeepers in clashes with militias on Wednesday in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola-hit east, government spokesman Lambert Mende said.
Ireland has no plans to prepare infrastructure for hard border: foreign minister
Ireland has no plans to start preparing infrastructure for a possible hard border with Northern Ireland, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said on Friday.
Brexit reversed: What is the path back from Brexit?
To leave, or not to leave: More than two and a half years since the United Kingdom voted to exit the EU, that is still the question.
