News / News Bulletin

Germany: US-EU trade talks have failed

Sunday, 28 August 2016 9:05 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 28 August 2016 9:05 PM ]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and German Vice Chancellor, Economy and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel share a smile at the beginning of a weekly cabinet meeting on August 17, 2016 at the Chancellery in Berlin. (AFP)

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

Iraq has asked Saudi Arabia to replace its ambassador to Baghdad. This after Shia politicians repeatedly demanded the expulsion of Thamer al-Sabhan over his claims about Iran's involvement in Iraq. The Iraqi foreign ministry has also denied media reports of a plot to kill the Saudi diplomat.
Yemen’s governing council says it is ready for fresh peace talks if Saudi Arabia meets its conditions. The council added that restarting the talks is dependent on a total cessation of Saudi airstrikes and the lifting of unjust siege on the Yemeni people.
The German economy minister says talks on free trade between the US and the European Union have failed. Sigmar Gabriel says the two sides have held 14 rounds of talks, but have failed to agree on even one single common chapter.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Turkey’s attacks on northern Syria have claimed the lives of 40 civilians. It says the civilians were killed in Turkish artillery fire and airstrikes near the towns of Jarablus and Amarneh. The Turkish army says 25 Kurdish terrorists were killed in its airstrikes.
The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution has warned the nation’s enemies against attacking the country, stressing the aggressor would suffer a heavy blow. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran’s defensive measures will also include retaliation. The Leader was speaking during a meeting with commanders of the Iranian army’s air defense headquarters.
28 Libyan troops have been killed in fresh clashes with Daesh terrorists in the coastal city of Sirte. Sources say more than 180 others were also wounded in the fierce fighting. Troops loyal to the country’s UN-backed unity government are said to be close to taking full control of the city.
Two Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in fresh clashes between government forces and pro-Russians in the country’s east. The Ukrainian army has also confirmed that 4 more soldiers were wounded. Kiev accuses pro-Russians of initiating the latest fighting.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed that Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has been wounded in an attack. Buhari says the terrorist group no longer holds any territory in Nigeria. Last week, Nigerian armed forces claimed that Shekau was injured in an airstrike on Boko Haram's forest stronghold.