Macron unexpectedly heads to Riyadh to discuss crises with Crown Prince
DUBAI (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron will make a previously unscheduled trip to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to see Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discuss crises in Lebanon, Yemen and the wider region.
U.S. Treasury to announce more sanctions on Venezuelan officials: WSJ
(Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury Department will announce more sanctions on Thursday against top Venezuelan officials, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a U.S. Senate aide.
Exclusive: Lebanon believes Saudi holds Hariri, demands return
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon believes Saad al-Hariri is held in Saudi Arabia, from where he resigned as prime minister, two top Lebanese government officials said, amid a deepening crisis pushing Lebanon onto the frontlines of a power struggle between Sa…
Lithuania says east-west schism within EU benefits Russia
WARSAW (Reuters) – Lithuania said a growing rift between some eastern and western European Union states over issues such as migration posed a threat to the bloc at a time of increased Russian military assertiveness.
Political exclusion risks tearing Kenya apart, says opposition leader
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s main opposition leader said on Thursday that anger over last month’s presidential election ran so deep it threatened to tear the country apart.
Despite NATO pledge to increase Afghan support, troop shortfall remains: U.S.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO’s pledge to send more troops to Afghanistan still falls short of commitments, U.S. commanders said on Thursday, concerned that fewer reinforcements could threaten the already precarious security situation in the country.
Juncker calls on Europe to reject separatist ‘poison’ amid Catalonia crisis
MADRID (Reuters) – European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday called on Europe to stand up against separatism at a time when the Catalan independence push has deeply divided Spain.
Penny Mordaunt appointed new UK aid minister: PM May’s office
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May’s office confirmed that Penny Mordaunt has been appointed Britain’s new minister for international development, replacing Priti Patel who resigned on Wednesday over undisclosed meetings with Israeli…
Putin says doping allegations against Russia meant to stir discontent
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested on Thursday that allegations of a state-sponsored doping program in Russia were an attempt to sow discontent ahead of the country’s presidential elections.
Iranian political activist shot dead in Netherlands
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – A political activist who founded an Arab nationalist group seeking an independent state inside Iran was shot dead in the Netherlands, police said on Thursday.
