Scandals pile pressure on Spain’s Sanchez to call early election
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faces growing pressure from within his Socialist Party to call an early election, before scandals besetting his four-month-old minority government undermine a surge in voter support.
Lebanese party dials down optimism on government breakthrough
The leader of one of Lebanon’s main Christian parties said on Friday he didn’t want to create “artificial optimism” about a breakthrough in talks over a new government, a day after Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said one would be formed soon.
Raising hopes of political tolerance, Rwanda orders critic of president released on bail
Rwanda on Friday ordered the release on bail of a vocal critic of President Paul Kagame, further raising hopes for greater political tolerance in the country after the release last month of another jailed opposition figure.
German court rejects cannibal’s appeal for suspended sentence
A German engineer who killed and ate a willing victim in a case that shocked the country must remain in prison even though he has served 15 years for murder, a court ruled on Friday.
French investigate wherabouts of Interpol chief after wife reports him missing
French police have opened an investigation into the whereabouts of the president of international police cooperation agency Interpol, after his wife reported he had gone missing after traveling home to his native China last week.
Congolese doctor, Yazidi activist win Nobel Peace Prize for combating sexual violence
Denis Mukwege, a doctor who helps victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nadia Murad, a Yazidi rights activist and survivor of sexual slavery by Islamic State, won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
Hong Kong declines to renew visa of Financial Times journalist
Hong Kong has declined to renew a work visa for the Asia news editor of the Financial Times, who is also an official of the city’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC), a decision that has shocked the media community in the financial hub.
Germany says no-deal Brexit not in UK, EU or German interests
A no-deal Brexit would not be good for Britain, Europe or Germany, a German government spokesman said on Friday, adding that Chancellor Angela Merkel sees that close cooperation with Britain will be possible in some areas.
India quietly seals missile deal with Russia despite U.S. warning
India agreed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 surface to air missile systems on Friday, the two sides said, as New Delhi disregarded U.S. warnings that such a purchase could trigger sanctions under U.S. law.
Cameroon insurgency drains life from once vibrant towns
A unit of Cameroon’s special forces edged up the winding main road of what used to be a functioning village, past the rusted shell of a burnt-out lorry loaded with smashed beer bottles, past an abandoned church and a shuttered bar.
