Briefly

SYRIA

Diplomatic ties with Ukraine severed

Syria severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine on Wednesday in response to a similar move by Kyiv last month. The Syrian Foreign Ministry made the declaration, saying that Ukraine has taken an aggressive stance toward Syria since 2018. Ukraine cut relations with Syria on June 29 after Damascus recognized the independence of the eastern regions of Lugansk and Donetsk. "The Syrian Arab Republic has decided to break diplomatic relations with Ukraine in conformity with the principle of reciprocity," a statement from the ministry read.

UNITED STATES

Twitter takeover case heads for October trial

Twitter will get an October trial in its legal fight to hold Elon Musk to his $44 billion takeover, after a Delaware judge said on Tuesday the social media company deserved a quick resolution of the deal's uncertainty. The ruling is a blow to Musk, who pushed for a trial in February to allow for an extensive investigation into his claims that Twitter has misrepresented the number of fake or spam accounts. The question of whether Twitter's user numbers are inflated is core to his contention that he can walk away from the deal. The company said the issue is a distraction and deal terms require Musk to pay up.

EAST TIMOR

President expresses hope to join ASEAN

East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta said in a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart on Tuesday that he hopes the country could join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, The Associated Press reported. In a joint news conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Ramos-Horta said his government has fulfilled all requirements to be the newest member of the bloc, and he expects Widodo will help fast-track the acceptance of East Timor as the 11th member of the regional grouping when Indonesia takes over as the chair of ASEAN next year.

SUDAN

Clashes death toll rises to 105: official

Ethnic clashes in Sudan's Blue Nile state killed 105 people and wounded 291, the state's health minister said in a new toll on Wednesday. Fighting broke out in the state on the borders with Ethiopia and South Sudan on July 11 between members of two ethnic groups, Agence France-Presse reported. In Sudan, deadly clashes regularly erupt over land, livestock and access to water and grazing, especially in areas awash with weapons left over from the civil war.

Agencies - Xinhua