Russia plays power broker as U.S.-Taliban talks gather steam
Russia will host the Taliban and Afghan politicians opposed to President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday, Russian and Taliban sources said, promoting its role of power broker in what a U.S. official called an attempt to “muddle” the U.S.-backed peace process.
Other countries not seen joining European Iran trade mechanism soon: German official
Iran may be discussed during Chancellor Angela Merkel’s trip to Japan next week but other countries are not immediately expected to join a European mechanism to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran, a senior German government official said on Thursday…
Zimbabwe’s public sector union backs down on strike, says situation is volatile
Zimbabwe’s umbrella public sector union has backed down from plans for a national strike, an official said on Thursday, citing the volatile situation in the country after violent protests this month were met by a security crackdown.
Germany, France, Britain to launch mechanism for trade with Iran
Germany, France and Britain have officially set up a European mechanism to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran and circumvent U.S. sanctions, two diplomats said on Thursday.
U.S. sees no impact from EU trade mechanism for Iran
The U.S. embassy in Germany said on Thursday it was seeking additional details about a new European mechanism to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran, but did not expect it to affect its effort to apply maximum economic pressure on Tehran.
Sudan’s Bashir says border with Eritrea reopens after being shut for a year
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said on Thursday that his country was reopening its border with Eritrea, which has been shut for about a year.
U.S. likely to announce suspension of INF treaty obligations: U.S. official
The U.S. government will likely announce the suspension of its obligations under the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia in coming days, after bilateral talks failed to make headway, a senior U.S. official told Reuters.
Italy’s Berlusconi says new government possible even without snap vote
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Thursday a new center-right government that would sweep the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement from power could be formed even without a snap election.
Brazilians little moved by Vale overtures in wake of disaster
Residents of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais reacted with indifference and in many cases dismissal at a raft of measures mining giant Vale SA pledged to adopt in recent days in the wake of a dam burst that likely killed over 300 people.
Venezuela’s Guaido asks EU to keep pressure on Maduro
Venezuela’s self-declared interim president Juan Guaido has asked European Union governments to keep up the pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.
