Right-wing Brazil candidate commits to free press after calling it ‘trash’
Brazil’s leading presidential candidate vowed to defend freedom of the press after his tirades against the media and reports of his supporters attacking journalists raised fears that civil liberties might suffer if he is elected.
U.S. envoy for Afghan peace meets Taliban officials in Qatar: WSJ
The U.S. envoy for Afghanistan peace efforts met with Taliban representatives in Qatar on Friday as President Donald Trump’s administration pushed to find a way to end the 17-year-old Afghan war, the Wall Street Journal reported.
U.S. security adviser Bolton vows tougher approach to China
U.S. national security adviser John Bolton has vowed to further intensify the Trump administration’s tough approach to China, saying Beijing’s “behavior needs to be adjusted in the trade area, in the international, military and political areas.”
Israel, Syria to reopen Golan crossing on Monday: U.S. envoy to U.N.
Israel, Syria and the United Nations have agreed to open the Quneitra crossing in the Golan Heights on Monday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Friday.
Freed pastor Brunson leaves Turkey, due in U.S. Saturday
A U.S. pastor was flown out of Turkey on Friday after a court freed him from two years of detention, in a step that could improve U.S.-Turkish ties strained by disputes over Syria, Iran and Ankara’s planned purchase of Russian military equipment.
Germany’s Merkel is weakened, says long-time ally Schaeuble
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s political standing has suffered in recent months and poor results in two upcoming state elections could lead to “bigger changes”, her long-time conservative ally, Wolfgang Schaeuble, said on Friday.
Trump says freed pastor to arrive in U.S. on Saturday, visit White House
The pastor who was at the center of a diplomatic spat between Turkey and the United States will land at a military base near Washington on Saturday and will likely visit the White House the same day, President Donald Trump said on Friday.
UAE says it has been in touch with UK for months over detained academic
The United Arab Emirates has been in contact with British authorities over a British academic since shortly after he was detained in May, a senior UAE official said on Friday, amid suggestions that he would be charged with espionage.
Trump says he will call Saudi King Salman about journalist Khashoggi
President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he has not talked to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman but will call the royal leader soon, as questions mount about the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Israel says Palestinian refugees number in the thousands, not millions
An Israeli government study shared with Washington argues that Palestinian refugees number in the thousands, not the millions designated by a U.N. aid agency whose funding has been slashed by the Trump administration, an Israeli official said on Friday…
