Pompeo said U.S. would not block Pakistan if it seeks IMF bailout: Pakistani minister
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured Pakistan last week that Washington would not try to block any request for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Tuesday.
U.S. warns Iran it will respond to attacks by Tehran allies in Iraq
The United States warned Iran on Tuesday it will “respond swiftly and decisively” to any attacks by Tehran’s allies in Iraq that result in injury to Americans or damage to U.S. facilities.
Lula drops fight for presidency, hands over to running mate
Jailed former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stepped aside on Tuesday to allow his running mate Fernando Haddad to stand for the presidency in next month’s election, ending his legal battle against a ban on his candidacy.
As Idlib offensive looms, Syrians flee to border villages
Syrians escaping violence in Idlib have arrived in villages near the Turkish border in droves, fearing Damascus will launch a full-blown assault on the rebel stronghold.
Spanish minister resigns over academic degree
Spanish Health Minister Carmen Monton resigned on Tuesday after reports of irregularities in how she obtained an academic degree, becoming the second minister to quit since Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took office in June.
U.N. chief pushes for protection of civilians in Syria’s Idlib
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday appealed to Russia, Iran and Turkey to “spare no effort to find solutions that protect civilians” in Syria’s Idlib and said it was “absolutely essential” a full-scale battle was avoided.
Mattis says Afghan forces increasing vetting to avoid insider attacks
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who recently visited Kabul, said on Tuesday that the Afghan government was increasing the vetting and training of local forces in order to minimize so-called insider attacks.
Pakistan to allow jailed ex-PM Nawaz Sharif to attend wife’s funeral
The cancer-stricken wife of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif died in London on Tuesday while her husband and daughter were in prison, officials said.
Guatemalans step up protests of president’s attacks on anti-graft body
Thousands of people blocked a major highway in Guatemala’s western highlands while others protested in front of Congress on Tuesday to demand that President Jimmy Morales allow a U.N.-backed anti-graft body to operate.
Italy minister says Autostrade will not get contract to rebuild bridge
Italy’s Autostrade was to blame for the collapse of a bridge because of its failure to conduct maintenance, and the company will not be given the contract to rebuild it, Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said on Tuesday.
