Maldives accuses U.S. of intimidation after comments on political prisoners
Maldives accused the United States of intimidation on Friday, a day after Washington called for the release of “falsely accused” political prisoners and threatened action if the island’s upcoming election is not free and fair.
Iraq protesters enter oilfield facility, hold two staff hostage: Lukoil, police
Protesters entered a water treatment facility linked to the West Qurna 2 oilfield, managed by Lukoil, and held two Iraqi employees hostage on Friday, according to a Lukoil source and a source with Basra’s energy police.
Staff undermining Colombia tribunal trying former rebels: attorney general
Officials from the special Colombian tribunal tasked with trying crimes related to the country’s five decades of conflict may have covered up the non-compliance of several former rebel commanders with a peace accord, the attorney general said on Friday…
Yemen’s Houthis want U.N. guarantees for delegation as peace talks in Geneva stall
Yemen’s Houthi group said on Friday it was still waiting for the United Nations to guarantee that the flight carrying its delegation to peace talks in Geneva would not be inspected by Saudi coalition forces and could evacuate some of its wounded.
Iran’s Guards say they killed six Kurdish militants near Iraq border
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Friday they had killed six members of a Kurdish militant group involved in a July attack on an Iranian border post, the official news agency IRNA reported.
Iran and Russia can work together to restrain America: Iran supreme leader
Iran and Russia can work together to restrain America, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, according to Fars News.
One protester dead, 11 wounded during protests in Iraq’s Basra
One protester has died and 11 more were wounded during demonstrations in Iraq’s second biggest city Basra on Friday, local security and health sources said.
Trump ups ante on China, threatens duties on $267 billion more imports
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that he has tariffs ready to go on $267 billion worth of Chinese imports in addition to the $200 billion of the Asian nation’s goods already facing the risk of duties.
Iraqi officials announce citywide curfew in Basra amid violent protests
Iraqi security officials announced a citywide curfew in Basra just before 9 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Friday, amid violent protests, a statement from Basra Operations Command said.
Trump open to Russia probe interview ‘under certain circumstances’
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he was open to sitting down with investigators probing possible collusion between his election campaign and Russia “under certain circumstances,” but did not want to get caught in a “perjury trap.”
