At least 17 killed in Syrian army bombing of rebel-held Idlib: witnesses
At least 17 people were killed and more than 40 injured on Saturday after Syrian army air strikes struck four cities in the country’s northwestern region of Idlib, witnesses and a local civil defense center said.
Iranian semi-official news agency reports anti-government protests
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, in a rare report on anti-government unrest, said protesters in Tehran on Saturday chanted slogans against the nation’s top authorities, after the powerful Revolutionary Guards admitted shooting down a passenger pl…
Iran’s Rouhani speaks to Canadian PM, promises further investigation into crash
President Hassan Rouhani, during a telephone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday, promised further investigation into the downing of an Ukrainian passenger plane, state news agency IRNA reported.
U.S. applauds Tsai’s re-election as Taiwan president: Pompeo
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on her re-election on Saturday and lauded her for seeking stability with China “in the face of unrelenting pressure.”
EASA urges airlines to avoid Iranian airspace
European airlines should avoid Iranian airspace until further notice, the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said on Saturday following Iran’s admission that its armed forces inadvertently shot down a Ukrainian airliner earlier in the week.
Iran’s handling of plane disaster sparks new challenge to rulers
Iran’s clerical rulers risk a legitimacy crisis as popular anger has boiled up at the way the state handled a passenger plane crash, which the military took three days to admit was caused by an Iranian missile fired in error.
Ukraine president calls for plane crash perpetrators to be held accountable
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that Iran’s acknowledgement that it shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane was a step in the right direction but wanted those responsible to be held to account.
Starmer launches UK Labour leadership bid with call to end factionalism
Keir Starmer, the frontrunner in the race to lead Britain’s main opposition Labour Party, has pledged to end feuding within its ranks and take the fight to Prime Minister Boris Johnson if he wins the contest.
German Chancellor urges all parties to back Iran nuclear deal
German chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday repeated a call for all parties to respect the Iranian nuclear accord, despite Iran’s decision to intensify its enrichment of uranium and moves by the United States to impose economic sanctions.
British PM Johnson hails ‘momentous’ restoration of Northern Ireland institutions
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday praised Northern Ireland’s political parties for reaching a “fair and balanced deal” after three years of deadlock and said the restoration of the region’s executive would improve lives.
