Exclusive: Citing lack of progress, secretary to Myanmar’s Rohingya panel quits
The Thai secretary to an international panel set up by Myanmar to advise on the Rohingya crisis quit his post, dealing another blow to the credibility of a body meant to demonstrate the government’s commitment to resolving the issue.
Briton discharged from hospital after Novichok poisoning
Charlie Rowley, one of two Britons poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok last month, was released from hospital on Friday.
Pompeo says North Korea must take ‘concrete actions’ before sanctions eased: U.N. envoy
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told United Nations Security Council envoys on Friday that there needs to be “concrete actions” by North Korea before an easing of sanctions on Pyongyang can be discussed, said Dutch U.N. Ambassador Karel van Oosterom.
Trump, Putin discussed Syria crisis, returning refugees: Pompeo
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed resolving the crisis in Syria and how to return refugees who fled the war-torn country during their Monday meeting, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday.
Iraqi protesters call for downfall of politicians
Thousands of Iraqis angry about poor services protested in southern cities and Baghdad on Friday, calling for the downfall of political parties as they escalated demonstrations backed by the country’s most powerful clerics.
One Iraqi protester killed in protest at Badr militia branch
A security guard at a branch of one Iraq’s most powerful paramilitary groups shot dead a protester on Friday while trying to push back a crowd hurling bricks and stones, police and medical sources said.
Israeli fire kills four Palestinians as troops shot at on Gaza border
Israeli air and ground forces killed four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Friday, Palestinian health officials said, as the Israeli military said its troops had come under fire.
Senators propose bill to restrict international development loans to Turkey
Six U.S. senators introduced bipartisan legislation on Thursday to restrict loans from international financial institutions to Turkey “until the Turkish government ends the unjust detention of U.S. citizens”, a senate committee statement said.
Xi’s visit to UAE highlights China’s rising interest in Middle East
China and the United Arab Emirates signed a raft of financial, business and trade agreements on Friday during a visit by President Xi Jinping to the UAE, underscoring energy-hungry Beijing’s rapidly growing interest in the Middle East.
U.S. rejects Russia idea for referendum in eastern Ukraine
The United States on Friday rejected a proposal from Russia for a referendum to be held to decide the fate of eastern Ukraine, saying it would not be legitimate since the area is not under control of the Ukranian government.
