Fiancée of Saudi journalist denies official’s comment that he exited Istanbul consulate
The fiancée of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Wednesday denied a Saudi official’s comment that Khashoggi exited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, maintaining that the commentator had gone missing inside.
Germany, U.S. agree need to prevent chemical weapons attacks in Syria: Maas
Germany and the United States agree on the need to do everything possible to prevent the use of chemical weapons in Syria, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday after meeting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Pope opens bishops meeting in febrile atmosphere of sex abuse scandals
Pope Francis opened a gathering of bishops on Wednesday at a time of crisis in the Catholic Church over sex abuse, with one bishop boycotting the meeting and another staying home to deal with the fallout from the scandal.
Israel can beat Russian-supplied S-300 air shield in Syria: minister
An Israeli official played down on Wednesday the Russian upgrading of Syria’s air defenses, saying the newly supplied S-300 missile system could be defeated by Israel’s stealth fighters and possibly destroyed on the ground.
Exclusive: EU considers trade sanctions on Myanmar over Rohingya crisis
The European Union is considering trade sanctions on Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis, potentially stripping the country of tariff-free access to the world’s largest trading bloc, three EU officials said.
Egyptians facing eviction should have right to stay: U.N. rapporteur
Egyptians living in areas marked for urban development projects should have a right to remain in their homes if they wish to do so, a U.N. special rapporteur said during a rare visit to Egypt on Wednesday.
Turkey says U.S. stalling in Syria’s Manbij is a ‘growing problem’
The United States is stalling over the establishment of joint patrols with Turkey in the northern Syrian town of Manbij which the two countries agreed, and Ankara sees the delay as a growing problem, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman said.
Pompeo says Iran is origin of threat to U.S. missions in Iraq
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran on Wednesday for threats to American missions in Iraq and said the United States was terminating a treaty of amity with Tehran, which is the target of increasing U.S. sanctions over its missile programs.
Lebanon’s Hariri: ‘very optimistic’ about government formation
Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said on Wednesday he was “very optimistic” about the formation of a new government five months after national elections.
Yemen ex-president Saleh’s sons transferred to Jordan: Saudi-led coalition
Two sons of slain former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh are being transferred from Sanaa, the capital held by the Houthi movement, to Jordan in an operation facilitated by a Saudi-led anti-Houthi coalition, Saudi state TV reported on Wednesday.
