Saudi Arabia frees seven Houthi prisoners in apparent swap
Saudi Arabia released seven prisoners it was holding from Yemen’s Houthi movement, who were flown to the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Wednesday by the Red Cross, the day after a Saudi prisoner freed by the Houthis arrived in Riyadh.
Ireland says UK demand for Brexit deal change is ‘wishful thinking’
Ireland accused British Prime Minister Theresa May of wishful thinking on Wednesday for seeking to renegotiate a post-Brexit arrangement for the Irish border in an attempt to get backing for Britain’s EU divorce deal in parliament.
EU’s Barnier says time too short for alternatives to Irish backstop
Time is too short to find an alternative arrangement to the Irish backstop and Britain’s divorce deal with the European Union will not be re-opened for negotiation, the EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday.
U.N. nuclear watchdog warns against pressuring it on inspections
The U.N. nuclear watchdog policing Iran’s deal with major powers said on Wednesday that attempts to pressure it on inspections were “counter-productive and extremely harmful”, though it stopped short of naming those responsible.
Zimbabwe public workers divided over strike after talks fail
Zimbabwe’s public sector unions were divided on Wednesday over whether to launch a national strike after wage talks with the government failed, leaving the country on edge over the possibility of more unrest.
Trump phones Venezuela’s Guaido as U.S. pushes for Maduro to go
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president by phone on Wednesday, reiterating support for his “fight to regain democracy,” as Washington’s push to force socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power picked up st…
Venezuela’s Guaido envoy, U.S. to discuss taking over government assets
The U.S. representative for Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido will meet with U.S. officials as soon as Wednesday to plan a takeover of assets from socialist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
Two French reporters arrested in Venezuela: diplomatic source
Two French reporters have been arrested covering the political turmoil in Venezuela and the French Embassy is working for their release, a diplomatic source said on Wednesday.
Don’t deal in commodities ‘stolen’ from Venezuelan people: White House’s Bolton
White House National Security Adviser John Bolton underlined U.S. pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday, telling bankers, brokers and traders not to deal in the country’s commodities that he said were “stolen” from the Venezuela…
Hungary to shun Italian-led eurosceptic alliance, stick with allies: official
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party will not join a eurosceptic alliance spearheaded by Italy in the run-up to European Parliament elections despite their common hard line on immigration, a government official said on Wednesday….
