Italy PM Conte summons economy minister, key aides, over 2019 budget: government source
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte summoned Economy Minister Giovanni Tria and key aides to a meeting n the 2019 budget on Friday, a government source said, amid growing requests from the two ruling parties to boost spending.
Hundreds still missing in Tanzania ferry sinking, 44 confirmed dead
At least 44 people were confirmed dead and rescuers resumed searching at the crack of dawn on Friday for hundreds more still missing, a day after a ferry sank in Lake Victoria, Tanzanian police said.
Vietnam’s President Quang dies after ‘serious illness’
Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang, one of the country’s top three leaders but with mostly ceremonial duties, died on Friday after an illness, state television and radio announced.
UK warns there will be no Brexit deal unless EU softens on Irish border
Britain will leave the European Union without a deal unless the bloc’s leaders soften their position on the Irish border, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC.
Top China official urges ‘reform through education’ for Xinjiang prisoners
China’s domestic security chief has called for strengthened “reform through education” for prisoners in the far western region of Xinjiang, state media said on Friday, amid international criticism over a security clampdown.
Vietnam President Quang dead: state media
Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang, one of the country’s top three leaders but with mostly ceremonial duties, died on Friday after an illness, state television and radio announced.
Japan uneasy over Trump pressure on auto as summit, trade talks loom
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet U.S. President Donald Trump next week as fears grow in Tokyo that Washington could demand that Japan curb its car exports to the United States.
China places top energy official, a senior Uighur, under investigation
China on Friday placed one of the country’s most senior ethnic Uighur officials, head of the energy administration and a former governor of the restive region of Xinjiang, under investigation for suspected graft.
U.S., China diplomatic efforts overlap in Dominican Republic
China’s most senior envoy arrived in the Dominican Republic on Thursday to inaugurate a new embassy after the country cut ties with Taiwan, as the U.S. ambassador there urged countries to make diplomatic decisions based on long-term goals.
U.S. sanctions China for buying Russian fighter jets, missiles
The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Chinese military on Thursday for buying fighter jets and missile systems from Russia, in breach of a sweeping U.S. sanctions law punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.
