Turkey’s Erdogan hopes Tehran summit will avert Idlib offensive
Turkey hopes a summit with Iranian and Russian leaders in Tehran on Friday will avert a Syrian government offensive on the rebel-held Idlib enclave and prevent a new influx of refugees to Turkey, President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying.
Trump not concerned if Iran’s leaders want to talk to him or not
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he could not predict what would happen with Iran and it did not matter to him if Iran’s leaders wanted to talk to him or not.
Germany could boost aid for Syrians if Idlib offensive escalates: Maas
Germany would consider boosting humanitarian assistance for Syrian refugees in countries neighbouring the Arab state in the case of an all-out government offensive in the northern region of Idlib, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday.
U.S. senators introduce bill to help Taiwan keep its allies
Republican and Democratic U.S. senators introduced legislation on Wednesday to discourage Taiwan’s few remaining allies from switching their allegiance to China, after El Salvador became the third country this year to move toward Beijing.
Colombia’s ELN releases three hostages as Duque evaluates talks
Colombia’s Marxist ELN rebels have released three soldiers held hostage for nearly a month, the country’s human rights ombudsman said on Wednesday, as new right-wing President Ivan Duque evaluates whether to continue peace talks with the insurgents.
Iraqi protesters torch government building in Basra
Protesters set fire to the main government building in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Wednesday, security sources said, amid growing unrest over poor basic services.
Blanket bombing of Syria’s Idlib is wrong, Turkish foreign minister says
Bombing the Syrian province of Idlib is wrong and should be stopped, Turkey’s foreign minister said on Wednesday, adding that Ankara was going to push at Friday’s planned summit in Tehran for a decision to stop such attacks.
Suspected Boko Haram militants kidnap at least 10 people in northeast Nigeria
Suspected Boko Haram militants have kidnapped between 10 and 20 people, a family member of one of those abducted, a senator and two military sources said on Wednesday.
Ugandan lawmakers appeal law allowing Museveni re-election bid
A group of Ugandan legislators have petitioned the supreme court to overturn a lower court decision that upheld a constitutional amendment allowing long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni to seek re-election.
At least 20 dead in blasts at sports center in Afghan capital
A suicide attack at a wrestling club in a Shi’ite neighborhood of the Afghan capital Kabul and a second explosion apparently targeting emergency services and journalists at the site killed at least 20 people and wounded 70 on Wednesday, officials said….
