Trump to skip summits in Singapore, Papua New Guinea; Pence to attend

President Donald Trump will skip summits with Asian leaders in Singapore and Papua New Guinea in November, sending Vice President Mike Pence in his place, the White House said on Friday, an announcement that will raise questions about his commitment to a regional strategy to counter China.

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U.S. sees assault on Idlib as escalation of Syria conflict: Pompeo

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said the United States views the Syrian government military assault on rebel-held Idlib as an escalation of the Syrian conflict, as the State Department warned that Washington would respond to any chemical attack by Damascus.

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Journalists arrested over alleged theft of documents on Northern Ireland killings

Two journalists were arrested on Friday over the suspected theft of documents from Northern Ireland's police ombudsman that were used in a documentary that alleged police collusion in the 1994 murder of six soccer fans.

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Guatemala not renewing mandate of U.N. anti-corruption body

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said on Friday his government has decided not to renew the mandate of a U.N.-backed anti-graft commission that helped bring down his predecessor and also tried to have Morales impeached.

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U.S. President Trump to visit Ireland in November: Irish government

U.S. President Donald Trump will visit Ireland in November, the Irish government said on Friday.

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U.S. funding cut is 'flagrant assault' against Palestinian people: Abbas spokesman

A U.S. decision to halt funding to a U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees was a "flagrant assault" against Palestinian people, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Friday.

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Chilean prosecutors say Church abuse investigations triple

The number of cases of abuse in Chile's Roman Catholic Church under investigation by prosecutors has more than tripled to 119 in the past month, the national prosecuting authority said on Friday.

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Dutch police identify Amsterdam stabbing suspect as 19-year-old Afghan

Dutch police said a man who stabbed and seriously injured two people at Amsterdam's main train station on Friday was a 19-year-old Afghan with a German residence permit.

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Obama, Bush to eulogize former political foe McCain at cathedral service

Former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush will lead mourners on Saturday in a service for the late John McCain, the longtime Arizona senator and Vietnam war hero whose bids for the White House were dashed by the two men.

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Aretha Franklin's gospel roots celebrated at Queen of Soul's funeral

A Detroit church swelled with the sound of gospel music on Friday as family, friends and fans of Aretha Franklin bid rousing farewell to the Queen of Soul at a funeral that featured tributes by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and singer Stevie Wonder.

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California lawmakers send strict 'net neutrality' laws to governor

California lawmakers sent to the governor's desk for final approval strict "net neutrality" laws on internet providers that would defy sweeping Federal Communications Commission rules seen as a boon for the companies.

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Speakers at Aretha Franklin funeral raise Black Lives Matter movement

The funeral for Aretha Franklin in Detroit on Friday also briefly became an impromptu forum on the Black Lives Matter movement and other issues critical to the African American community.

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FBI arrests New Mexico compound members on new charges

Five residents of a New Mexico compound were arrested on Friday by the FBI for violating firearms and conspiracy laws in what one of their lawyers described as a "bad development" for the group, who are accused of planning anti-government attacks.

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