Putin defiant on Ukraine crisis despite Trump summit talks threat
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday shrugged off a threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to cancel a meeting with him due to Moscow’s seizure of three Ukrainian navy ships, and accused Ukraine’s president of orchestrating the crisis.
Trump briefed on Ukraine as he ponders putting off Putin meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on tensions between Russia and Ukraine as he considers whether to cancel a meeting this weekend in Argentina with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a senior White House official said on Wednesday.
Pompeo says downgrading U.S. ties to Saudi Arabia would be mistake
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that downgrading U.S. ties with Saudi Arabia would be a mistake for national security and would not push Saudis in a better direction at home.
U.S. military says strikes kills three militants in Somalia
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it had killed three militants in an air strike targeting the al-Shabaab Islamist group in Somalia the previous day.
Bahrain readies austerity push, keeping wary eye on opposition
Bahrain’s new parliament is expected to swiftly pass sensitive austerity measures needed to secure a Gulf aid package, but the U.S.-allied government may implement the belt-tightening in stages to avoid provoking public anger.
Car bomb hits Afghan capital as Ghani outlines peace plans
A car bomb exploded outside a security contractors’ compound in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday, opening the way for gunmen who battled security forces only hours after President Ashraf Ghani outlined plans for peace in Afghanistan.
Ethiopia overtakes Dubai as top feeder of air traffic to Africa
Ethiopia has overtaken Dubai as a conduit for long-haul passengers to Africa, highlighting the success of the state airline’s expansion drive and the reforms of its new prime minister.
U.S. urges Palestinians to free dual national suspected of Jerusalem land deal
The U.S. ambassador to Israel called on Palestinians on Wednesday to free an American-Palestinian who, the envoy said, was detained for “selling land to a Jew”, apparently violating a long-standing Palestinian ban on selling land to Israelis.
The cost of Brexit: Britain sets out the scenarios
Britain’s government intensified its warnings on Wednesday about a no-deal Brexit, saying it would damage the economy while Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan for leaving the European Union, opposed by many lawmakers, would soften the blow.
Bangladesh attorney general says jailed leader Khaleda cannot contest election
Bangladesh’s jailed opposition leader Khaleda Zia cannot run for office in next month’s election, the country’s top law officer said on Wednesday, increasing the uncertainty over the party’s prime ministerial candidate.
