With eye on chancellery, Merkel protégé wants new era in Germany
Pitching to succeed Angela Merkel as Christian Democrat (CDU) leader, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer promised on Wednesday a new chapter for Germany in which “people feel at home here” after a period of political turmoil marked by the rise of the far right…
U.S. must break from Syrian Kurds after PKK reward offer – Turkey
Turkey gave a guarded welcome on Wednesday to a U.S. decision to offer millions of dollars to help capture three top Kurdish PKK militants but said Washington must also break its alliance with Kurdish militias in northern Syria.
Saudi Arabia in joint venture with Spain’s Navantia to build navy vessels
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) tweeted on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to jointly manufacture five corvettes for the Saudi navy.
Kidnapped children released in Cameroon, two teachers still held
Kidnappers freed scores of school children and a driver in west Cameroon early on Wednesday, but kept hold of a principal and one teacher, officials said, following an abduction blamed on anglophone separatists.
Almost two-thirds of Germans want Merkel to step down: poll
Some 62 percent of Germans want Angela Merkel to step down, a survey showed on Wednesday, just over a week after she said she would relinquish her role as chair of the Christian Democrats but remain chancellor of Europe’s economic powerhouse.
European defense coalition launched in Paris
A coalition of European militaries ready to react to crises near the continent’s borders was launched on Wednesday with Finland becoming the 10th country to join, amid calls by French President Emmanuel Macron for a “real European army”.
Vote count begins as Madagascar chooses president
Madagascar voted on Wednesday for a president to tackle unemployment, poverty and corruption on the Indian Ocean island, with the incumbent and two former heads of state leading a field of 36 contenders.
Turkey says will not ease stance on YPG militia to meet U.S. expectations
Turkey will not ease its stance against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia to meet U.S. expectations, President Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman said on Wednesday, after Washington offered rewards for information about senior Kurdish militants.
Irish PM sees fading chance of Brexit deal in November
The chances of sealing a deal on Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union this month are receding, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Wednesday, and the EU’s Brexit negotiator called on Britain to make decisive choices.
Exclusive: U.N., Western powers quietly bury December plan for Libya election
The United Nations and Western powers have given up hope that Libya will hold elections in the immediate future, focusing on reconciliation first among rival factions locked in a cycle of conflict, diplomats and other sources said.
