U.S. economic plan decried by Palestinians but gets cautious nod in Gulf
Palestinians on Wednesday poured scorn on the Trump administration’s $50 billion investment plan to help achieve Middle East peace, but U.S. Gulf Arab allies said the economic initiative had promise if a political settlement is reached.
Denmark’s next PM says she will nominate EU Commissioner Vestager for another term
Denmark’s incoming prime minister Mette Frederiksen said on Wednesday she would nominate Margrethe Vestager to continue as a European Commissioner for another five years, broadcaster TV2 reported.
Bulgaria hopes to join euro zone ‘waiting room’ by year-end
Bulgaria hopes to join the precursor to euro zone membership, the ERM-2 exchange rate mechanism before year-end, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said on Wednesday, pushing back Sofia’s initial target of joining this summer.
G20 countries should raise Khashoggi killing: U.N. expert
The U.N. executions investigator said on Wednesday that leaders attending the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, this weekend should press Saudi Arabia to take “full responsibility” for what she called the state murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Pompeo says remains hopeful Pakistan will crack down on Islamist militants
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a trip to India on Wednesday that he remained hopeful that neighboring Pakistan would chose the “right course” in cracking down on Islamist fundamentalists.
Ex-Israeli prime minister Barak announces election run
Former prime minister Ehud Barak announced on Wednesday a return to politics as the leader of a new party in Israel’s coming national election, saying it was time to end Benjamin Netanyahu’s “corrupt leadership”.
Iran says saving nuclear deal not its problem, EU warns no alternative
Iran warned the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday that it would no longer be burdened with preserving a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as European states pushed Tehran to stick with the agreement because there is “no credible, peaceful alternativ…
Harrowing photo of drowned migrants at U.S. border draws global attention
A harrowing photo of a man and his young daughter who drowned on the U.S.-Mexico border has brought global attention to the dangers for a wave of mostly Latin American migrants traveling north, with Pope Francis on Wednesday expressing “immense sadness…
Turkey’s Erdogan says no indication from Trump of U.S. sanctions over S-400 deal
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday he had not seen indications in his talks with President Donald Trump that the United States will impose sanctions on Ankara over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems.
Israel seeks Swiss help in overseas tax crackdown
Israel’s finance ministry has sought help from Switzerland in identifying Israelis it believes have undeclared assets at Union Bancaire Privee (UBP) and Bank Julius Baer, Swiss government documents show.
