WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump met with leaders from five African nations on Wednesday, noting the United States is shifting its policy toward the continent "from aid to trade."
Meeting with the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal at the White House, Trump said there was "great economic potential in Africa."
He said the United States was working to "forge new economic opportunities involving both the United States and many African nations."(U.S.-Africa-Mini-Summit)
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VIENNA -- The 9th OPEC International Seminar opened here on Wednesday, bringing together global energy leaders to discuss key issues including energy transitions, market stability, energy security, investment, technology, and innovation.
Under the theme "Charting Pathways Together: The Future of Global Energy," the two-day event features exhibitions, ministerial sessions, and high-level roundtables aimed at exploring energy security and cooperation across the energy sector.
OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said at the opening ceremony that 2025 holds special significance for OPEC, marking its 65th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of its Vienna headquarters. How to reduce carbon emissions while achieving energy security, improving energy accessibility and reducing global energy poverty is a key topic of the seminar, he added. (OPEC-Seminar-Vienna)
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DAMASCUS -- The Syrian interim government on Wednesday reaffirmed its rejection of any form of partition following a meeting between Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the top commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Damascus.
In a statement carried by al-Ikhbaria TV, a government source said the administration welcomes the integration of SDF fighters into the national army within legal frameworks. It also called for the restoration of state institutions in northeastern Syria to end the administrative vacuum and ensure essential public services.
Abdi and al-Sharaa struck an accord for integration in March with U.S. backing, but its implementation has been delayed due to disagreements between the two parties.(Syria-SDF-Integration)
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BRUSSELS -- The European Union (EU) is pushing for a framework of trade agreement in principle with the United States while retaining the options to retaliate, multiple EU officials said on Wednesday.
"We are looking for a reliable framework -- from which we can keep building our common trade," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France.
While reaffirming the EU's adherence to its principles and readiness for "all scenarios," von der Leyen said the 27-nation bloc favored a negotiated settlement.(EU-US-Tariff)
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GAZA -- Hamas said on Wednesday night that it has agreed to release 10 hostages, while noting that the ongoing Gaza peace talks with Israel still face "difficulty."
Hamas said in an official statement that it "has shown the necessary flexibility" and agreed to release 10 hostages, in a bid to ensure the success of the ongoing efforts.
Key points remain under negotiation, and foremost among them are the flow of aid, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, and the provision of real guarantees for a permanent ceasefire, the statement said.
But there is "the difficulty of negotiations on these issues so far due to the intransigence of the occupation (Israel)," it added.(Gaza Strip-Hamas-Israel) Enditem
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