Reuters World News Summary

09/05/2016 19:53

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

G20 summit warned of risks to economy as North Korea test-fires missiles

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles off its east coast on Monday in a defiant reminder of the risks to global security, as world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama gathered at a G20 summit in China for the second day. North Korea has tested missiles at sensitive times in the past to draw attention to its military might. But Monday's launch risks embarrassing its main ally Beijing, which has gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure a smooth summit meeting in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.

Cuba government filtering mobile text messages, dissidents say

Cuba's Communist government is filtering mobile phone text messages for key words such as "democracy" and "human rights" and then blocking them, dissidents said on Monday. An investigative report by blogger Yoani Sanchez and journalist Reinaldo Escobar concluded that text messages failed to reach their destinations if they contained Spanish words for democracy, human rights or hunger strike, among others, as well as the names of some dissidents.

Gabon opposition leader urges general strike after disputed election

Gabon's opposition leader appealed on Monday for a general strike in response to what he said was a fraudulent re-election of President Ali Bongo, while the justice minister resigned over the government's failure to organize a recount. Their protests undermined Bongo's attempts to project stability following the election's violent aftermath, though few citizens in the capital Libreville appeared to heed his defeated rival Jean Ping's strike call as economic activity picked back up.

Islamic State claims suicide bomb that kills nine in central Baghdad

At least nine people were killed in Baghdad late on Monday in a car bomb attack claimed by Islamic State near a hospital in a central district, police and hospital sources said. A suicide bomber had targeted a gathering of Shi'ite Muslims in the Karrada district, according to a statement circulated online by the Amaq news agency, which supports the ultra-hardline Sunni militant group.

Journalist charged in Venezuela after anti-Maduro protest

A prominent journalist and lawyer jailed on Venezuela's Margarita island was charged on Monday with money laundering, according to family and a rights group, following his arrest after publicizing a protest against President Nicolas Maduro. Videos published by activists, purportedly from the locality of Villa Rosa, showed scores of people banging pots and pans and jeering the socialist leader as he visited the island on Friday evening.

North Korea fires three ballistic missiles as G20 leaders meet in China

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Monday, the South Korean and U.S. militaries said, as the leaders of the Group of 20 major economies held a summit in China, the North's main diplomatic ally. The missiles were fired from a region south of the capital Pyongyang just after noon (10.00 p.m. ET) and flew about 1,000 km (600 miles), hitting Japan's air defense identification zone, South Korea's Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

U.S., Russia work on Syria truce, as Islamic State blasts kill dozens

The United States and Russia will work in the next few days on a deal to curb fighting in Syria and build cooperation in the fight against terrorism, their leaders said on Monday, as blasts claimed by Islamic State killed dozens across the Arab nation. The former Cold War enemies have been trying to broker a new truce after a ceasefire agreed in February unraveled in weeks, with Washington accusing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces - which are backed by Russia - of violating the pact.

U.N. human rights chief says Trump, others fanning prejudice

The United Nations human rights chief on Monday accused U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump of spreading "humiliating racial and religious prejudice" and warned of a rise of populist politics that could turn violent. In comments at a security and justice conference, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said he was addressing Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders and other "populists, demagogues and political fantasists."

Obama cancels meeting with Philippines' Duterte after insult

President Barack Obama canceled what would have been his first meeting with Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte, after Duterte described Obama in vulgar terms, a White House spokesman said on Tuesday. Duterte, a plain-spoken populist known for his colorful remarks and his campaign against illegal drugs in which thousands of people have died, described Obama as a "son of a bitch" to reporters on Monday, a day ahead of the planned meeting in Laos, where South Asian leaders are meeting for annual summits.

Attacks in Afghan capital kill at least 24

A car bomb hit the center of Kabul late on Monday, just hours after a Taliban suicide attack near the Defence Ministry killed at least 24 people, including a number of senior security officials, and wounded 91 others, officials said. Sporadic gunfire could be heard in an area with many shops and businesses and initial reports suggested that a guesthouse had been targeted, with attackers suspected to have entered the building, an Interior Ministry official said.

09/05/2016 19:53