AFP, Beijing
China on Friday called on the United States to maintain its commitment to the Iranian nuclear deal, which President Donald Trump is expected to declare no longer in America’s interest.
“We believe this deal is important to ensuring the international nuclear nonproliferation regime and regional peace and stability. We hope all parties can continue to preserve and implement this deal,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said during a regular press briefing.
Juncker opposes Catalan independence
Reuters, Luxembourg
European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said on Friday he did not want Catalonia to become independent as it would encourage other regions to do the same and make governing the EU too complicated.
“If we allow Catalonia-and it is none of our business-to separate, others will do the same. I do not want that,” Jean Claude Juncker said in a speech at Luxembourg University.
Texas inmate executed for murder
AFP, Chicago
A Texas inmate convicted of the murder of a prison guard was executed late Thursday after the US Supreme Court denied a last-minute appeal.
Robert Pruett, 38, maintained his innocence until the end, in the 1999 fatal stabbing of prison guard Daniel Nagle, even though other inmates testified against him.
Pruett was executed at 6:46 p.m. (2346 GMT), about an hour after his final appeals were denied by the US Supreme Court.
Russia, S Arabia close to sign S-400 missile deal
Reuters, Moscow
Russia and Saudi Arabia are on track to sign a contract on supplies of Russia’s advanced S-400 air defense missiles to Riyadh, the Interfax news agency cited an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying on Friday.
“The talks are ongoing now, the terms are being agreed,” the agency cited Vladimir Kozhin as saying. He said the contract could be signed “in the nearest time,” giving no further detail.
