AP, Jerusalem
US officials have confirmed that Israel was responsible for the bombing of an Iranian weapons depot in Iraq last month, an attack that would mark a significant escalation in Israel’s years-long campaign against Iranian military entrenchment across the region.
The confirmation comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is strongly hinting that his country is behind recent airstrikes that have hit bases and munitions depot belonging to Iran-backed paramilitary forces operating in Iraq.
North Korean FM calls Pompeo ‘poisonous plant’
AP, Seoul
North Korea’s foreign minister on Friday called U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a “poisonous plant of American diplomacy” and vowed to “shutter the absurd dream” that sanctions will force a change in Pyongyang.
The North’s blistering rhetoric may dim the prospect for an early resumption of nuclear negotiations between the countries. A senior U.S. diplomat said earlier this week that Washington was ready to restart the talks, a day after U.S. and South Korean militaries ended their regular drills that Pyongyang called an invasion rehearsal.
Mozambique, Russia sign security deals
AFP, Moscow
Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi signed energy and security agreements with Russian’s Vladimir Putin on Thursday in the first visit by a leader from the southern African state in two decades.
Nyusi’s visit came weeks his government signed a peace deal with former rebel movement Renamo and just two months before elections where the Mozambique leader will seek a second term.
Palestinians, Israel sign tax deal
AP, Ramallah
The Palestinian Authority says it has reached an agreement with Israel to restore some of the much-needed tax funds withheld by Israel in recent months.
Israel began this year withholding parts of some $200 million in monthly tax transfers that the Palestinians give to families of people killed or imprisoned in fighting with Israel. Israel says the payments encourage violence, while the Palestinians say the funds assist distressed families. In protest, they have refused to accept any funds from Israel.
One of two trapped Polish cavers found dead
AFP, Warsaw
Polish rescuers have found the body of one of two men who became trapped in a mountain cave last week when their corridor to the outside was flooded with water, a report said Thursday.
The men had entered the Wielka Sniezna limestone cave in the Tatra mountains of southern Poland last week along with four other spelunkers, who resurfaced and raised the alarm after losing contact with the pair on Saturday.
