Prospects of EU summit deal on top jobs go up in smoke
Chances of EU leaders agreeing on Thursday on who should inherit the bloc’s top jobs – including the head of its central bank – appeared vanishingly slim, as France and Germany cast doubt on any imminent deal and Ireland said electing a pope would be e…
EU’s Tusk ‘more cautious than optimistic’ on top jobs deal on Thursday
European Council President Donald Tusk said he was “more cautious than optimistic” that a deal on the European Union’s top jobs can be achieved between 28 national leaders of the bloc convening in Brussels on Thursday.
U.S. efforts to cut off Iran oil revenue working: White House adviser
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on Thursday that United States efforts to cut off Iran’s oil export revenues through sanctions are succeeding.
Malaysian PM says Russia being made a scapegoat for downing of flight MH17
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday Russia is being made a scapegoat for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and questioned the objectivity of the investigations into the 2014 disaster.
Putin rejects conclusions of investigation into downing of Flight MH17
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia disagreed with the conclusions of an international investigation that named three Russians and a Ukrainian this week as suspects in the downing of a passenger plane over Ukraine in 2014.
Saudi Arabia says ending British arms exports would help Iran
Iran would be the only beneficiary of any end to arms exports from Britain to Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s minister of state for foreign affairs said on Thursday, adding that the deployment of weapons in Yemen was legitimate.
Czech leader Babis defies inquiry, protests and EU audit
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has dug in to resist a criminal investigation, a slap from European auditors and possibly the biggest protests in three decades of democracy.
Laos confirms first cases of African swine fever – OIE
Laos has reported its first cases of African swine fever (ASF), confirming outbreaks in the southern province of Saravane, the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Thursday.
Iran, U.S. in war of words after U.S. drone shot down
Iran on Thursday shot down a U.S. military drone it said was on a spy mission over its territory but Washington said the aircraft was targeted in international air space in “an unprovoked attack”.
Saudi Arabia says Iran has created ‘very grave’ situation in Gulf
Iran has created a grave situation and jeopardized global oil supplies with its aggressive behavior, Saudi Arabia’s minister of state for foreign affairs said on Thursday, adding that the kingdom was consulting with allies on next steps.
