Egypt to shut prominent NGO that documents alleged rights abuses: security sources
Egyptian authorities have ordered the closure of a prominent local non-governmental organization that documents alleged human rights abuses and treats torture victims, the NGO and security sources said on Wednesday.
Putin says EU-Russia ties will return to normal 'sooner or later'
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he is sure that relations between Russia and the European Union will get back to normal sooner or later.
Turkey wants Syria ground operation, but says no consensus among allies
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and some European allies want ground troops deployed in Syria but there is no consensus in the coalition and a strategy for such an operation has not been seriously debated, Turkey's foreign minister told Reuters.
Hezbollah chief says Turkey, Saudi Arabia prefer war over political agreement in Syria
The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia and Turkey favored a prolonged war in Syria rather than agreeing to a settlement which would lead to President Bashar al-Assad staying in power.
Saudis and Russia agree oil output freeze, Iran still an obstacle
Top oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in - a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production.
China urges United States, North Korea to hold direct talks
China's foreign ministry on Monday urged the United States and North Korea to sit down with each other face-to-face and resolve their problems, as tension continues to climb on the Korean peninsula after North Korea's latest rocket test.
Europe ends sanctions on Belarus, seeks better ties
The European Union ended five years of sanctions against Belarus and its authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday, citing improving human rights as the bloc seeks more friends in Russia's back yard.
Oil stages late gains as Saudi, Russia, Venezuela to meet
Oil prices rose nearly 2 percent on Monday on news that ministers from Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela would hold a previously unpublicised meeting in Doha this week, adding to speculation of a global output deal.
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