Russia’s Putin: Russians fighting in Libya do not represent the state
Russian President Vladimir Putin, asked on Saturday whether mercenaries known as the Wagner Group, were fighting in Libya, said that if there are Russians in Libya, they are not representing the Russian state, nor are they paid by the state.
Russia’s Putin: time to hold Libya peace talks in Berlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a joint press-conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow on Saturday, said it was time to hold Libya peace talks in Berlin, as it was important to end the conflict in the country.
China reiterates opposition to Taiwan independence after vote
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office reiterated its opposition to any form of independence for Taiwan on Saturday, saying it was committed to a “one country, two systems” model for the island, which Beijing claims as sacred Chinese territory.
Northern Ireland’s politicians return to work after three-year standoff
Northern Ireland’s main political parties sat down together in Belfast on Saturday to form a power-sharing government and end a three-year standoff that threatened a key part of the province’s 1998 peace settlement.
Ukraine prosecutor investigating ‘willful killing’ in Iran plane crash
The Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office said on Saturday it is investigating possible willful killing and aircraft destruction in its probe of the crash of a Ukrainian airliner in Iran.
Oman’s new ruler chosen to provide continuity
When Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said named his preferred successor in a sealed envelope, he prioritized continuity by choosing a cousin with extensive foreign policy experience.
Two U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan: NATO
Two U.S. service members were killed and two others wounded when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan’s southern province of Kandahar, the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission said in a statement on Saturday.
Taiwan president wins by landslide in stinging rebuke to China
Taiwanese re-elected President Tsai Ing-wen by a landslide on Saturday, a stern rebuke to China which has tried both military threats and economic inducements to get the island to accept its rule, and potentially ushering in further tension with Beijin…
U.S. official calls Iran jet downing ‘reckless’
Iran’s downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing all 176 people aboard, “was a terrible tragedy,” a senior Trump administration official said on Saturday, after Tehran admitted mistakenly shooting down the aircraft.
Iran’s Guards knew missile to blame on day Ukraine plane crashed
A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Saturday he knew a missile had brought down a Ukrainian plane the same day it happened and accepted full responsibility, saying his force had acted in error while on alert for “all-out war”.
