Assad hits a wall in Syrian war as front lines harden
President Bashar al-Assad’s assault in the northwest has been met with a painful rebel counterpunch that underlines Turkish resolve to keep the area out of his hands and shows why he will struggle to take back more of Syria by force.
Lebanon PM: US sanctions won’t affect government
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Wednesday that U.S. sanctions targeting Hezbollah MPs moved in a “new direction” from existing measures, but would not affect government work.
Lebanese president regrets U.S. sanctions on Hezbollah lawmakers
Lebanon regrets the U.S. imposition of sanctions on two members of the Lebanese parliament and will pursue the matter with the U.S. authorities, President Michel Aoun said on Twitter on Wednesday.
Somalia executes three al Shabaab members over 2017 hotel attack
Somalia executed three men on Wednesday convicted of participating in the bombing of a Mogadishu hotel that killed 18 people in 2017 as members of the insurgent group al Shabaab, the state-run news agency said.
In hotbed of Sudan’s uprising, activists torn over transition deal
The Khartoum district of Burri was a fulcrum of the uprising against Sudan’s former leader Omar al-Bashir and the generals who replaced him, its residents beaten and killed as they rallied for freedom and justice.
Mexico minister who resigned had differences with chief of staff -president
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday that former Finance Minister Carlos Urzua, who resigned on Tuesday, had differences with the president’s chief of staff and businessman Alfonso Romo, among other issues.
U.S. sanctions will not affect government’s work: Lebanon PM Hariri
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Wednesday that U.S. sanctions targeting Hezbollah lawmakers for the first time marked “a new direction” but would not affect the work of parliament or government.
Timeline: Tension between Iran and the West over nuclear plans, Gulf shipping
Tensions between Iran and the West have escalated since U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports took full effect and British naval forces seized an Iranian supertanker.
U.S. accuses Iran of nuclear extortion but remains open to talks
The United States said on Wednesday Iran’s breaches of its nuclear deal are an attempt at extortion, warning Tehran that it is isolating itself while at the same time repeating that Washington is open to talks.
Nigeria’s president may name cabinet nominees this week: senate leader
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari could name his cabinet nominees as soon as this week, the senate president said on Wednesday, a move that could end more than a month without ministers.
