Iran says it’s prepared for dialogue if Saudi Arabia also ready
Iran is prepared for dialogue if Saudi Arabia is also ready, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
Islamic State says killed or wounded more than 40 Nigerian soldiers: Amaq
Islamic State said via its Amaq news agency that it killed or wounded more than 40 soldiers in the northeast Nigerian state of Borno in two separate attacks on Tuesday.
Czech 2020 budget talks stall, Social Democrats want more funds
Czech government talks on the 2020 budget hit a wall on Wednesday after the junior ruling party Social Democrats rejected current plans and said its ministries were around 20 billion crowns ($870 million) short of funds.
UK PM Johnson holds Belfast talks on Brexit backstop riddle
Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson held talks with allies in Northern Ireland on Wednesday in a bid to solve the Irish border conundrum that has scuppered all efforts to secure an orderly withdrawal from the European Union.
Italy says ends latest EU standoff over African asylum seekers
Italy called an end to its latest standoff with the European Union over uncontrolled African immigration on Wednesday, saying it would allow an Italian coastguard ship to disembark 116 asylum seekers in southern Italy in coming hours.
India’s top court to probe threat accusations against politician accused of rape
India’s Supreme Court will look into accusations that a powerful regional politician threatened the family of a woman who accused him of rape, the chief justice said on Wednesday, stepping into a case that has triggered outrage.
Singapore says drug smuggling worsens, even as hangings rise
Drug trafficking into Singapore, which has some of the world’s toughest drugs laws, has risen recently, the law minister said on Wednesday, and he defended capital punishment for serious drug crime as reflecting public support.
Portugal’s Socialists lead election poll, but would not win majority
Portugal’s ruling Socialists remain favorites to win a parliamentary election in October but will fail to grab an absolute majority, according to a new poll.
Directors of Australia’s Crown Resorts attack ‘deceitful campaign’ in letter
Casino operator Crown Resorts on Wednesday dismissed media reports that it flouted visa rules to bring Chinese gamblers to Australia after the government ordered an inquiry into immigration officials’ dealings with the company.
Has Mexico escaped recession? Second-quarter data will show
Mexico will on Wednesday learn whether the country slipped into recession during the first half of 2019, in what would be a major blow to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s pledge to lift growth and confound critics of his economic policies.
