working dialogue
Reuters, Moscow
The Kremlin said on Wednesday it hoped a planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump this week would help establish an effective working dialogue between them.
Such a dialogue was needed between Washington and Moscow to help resolve conflicts around the world, the Kremlin said.
Modi’s Israel visit to strengthen ties
PTI, Mumbai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “standalone” visit to Israel is a good way to concentrate on the bilateral achievement “without other issues affecting” them, Israeli envoy David Akov said today.
The Israeli envoy made the remark in reply to a query on his country’s stand on the possibility of the Indian premier visiting Ramallah. PM Modi is skipping a visit to Palestine during his trip.
Cyprus talks temporarily suspended : UN
AFP, Geneva
Talks aimed at ending the decades-old conflict on Cyprus have been temporarily suspended at the request of the two sides, but were expected to resume later Wednesday, the United Nations said.
Cyprus is one of the world’s longest-running political crises and the UN-backed talks that began in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana a week ago have been billed as the best chance to end the island’s 40-year division.
Rocket strike kills Afghan woman, child
AP, Kabul
An Afghan official says a woman and a small child were killed when a rocket struck their house in the capital, Kabul.
Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, says a third civilian was wounded in Wednesday’s attack. A second rocket landed nearby, without wounding anyone.
No one claimed the rockets, but the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate have stepped up their attacks in recent months.
