Argentina’s Macri is stuck between the IMF and a hard place
Argentine President Mauricio Macri is used to seeing bad poll numbers as he struggles to drive through an unpopular austerity program that has cut fuel subsidies, raised taxes and sent utility bills soaring.
Afghanistan in shock after death of powerful police commander
Afghan election commissioners recommended suspending Saturday’s parliamentary vote in the southern province of Kandahar after the assassination of one of the country’s most powerful security chiefs dealt a stunning blow to the Western-backed government…
Putin says can’t justify spoiling Saudi ties over Khashoggi affair
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia did not have enough information about the unexplained disappearance of a Saudi journalist to justify spoiling ties with Riyadh.
Southeast Asia agrees guidelines on air encounters, terrorism data swaps
Southeast Asian defense ministers on Friday agreed to a set of guidelines to manage unexpected aerial encounters between their military aircraft, and a deal to exchange information on terrorism and extremism.
Mattis says too soon to say if Afghan attack will affect ballot
It is too soon to say if a major attack in Afghanistan that killed a top security commander will hurt voter turnout in Saturday’s elections, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said, but added that the U.S. military’s mission was unaltered.
China arrests former vice finance minister for graft
China has arrested a former vice finance minister for suspected corruption, its top prosecutor said on Friday.
Britain’s royal couple join mental health group hug on Australia’s Bondi Beach
Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan joined in a group hug at a “Fluro Friday” event on Australia’s Bondi Beach organized by surfers to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Amnesty International points to extrajudicial killings in Nicaragua
Human rights organization Amnesty International said on Thursday it had documented at least six “possible extrajudicial executions” in Nicaragua during a government crackdown on protests against President Daniel Ortega.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro denies illicit campaign finance accusation
Brazilian far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday was forced to deny an accusation that he sought funding from business leaders to purchase mass WhatsApp messages, in an alleged campaign finance violation.
China state paper accuses west of double standards on Xinjiang
The western media is guilty of “double standards” when it comes to reporting on China’s restive northwestern region of Xinjiang, the official China Daily said in an editorial on Friday.
