News brief: Big stories of the day

I met the finance minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with banks: Vijay Mallya

Ex-liquor baron  Vijay Mallya said he had "met the finance minister" before leaving for the UK and had repeated his offer to settle with Indian banks. Speaking to reporters outside London's Westminster Magistrates' Court, Mallya said: "I met the finance minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with the banks."

Let's change our approach, conclude peace deal: Putin to Japan PM Abe

Add WION as a Preferred Source

President Vladimir Putin suggested Wednesday Russia and Japan sign a peace deal "without any preconditions" by the end of the year, a historic proposal to try to solve a territorial dispute after decades of deadlock.

Resolutely oppose US using Xinjiang-related issues to interfere in our internal affairs: China

After China declared that the US should abandon its "prejudice" over Xinjiang, President Xi's government said it "resolutely opposes the United States using Xinjiang-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs."

Mattis says Afghan forces increasing vetting to avoid insider attacks

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who recently visited Kabul, said on Tuesday that the Afghan government was increasing the vetting and training of local forces in order to minimise so-called insider attacks.

Israel's Netanyahu welcomes closure of Palestinian mission in Washington

Israel welcomed on Wednesday the Trump administration's move to close the Palestine Liberation Organization's office in Washington out of concern about Palestinian attempts to prompt an ICC investigation of Israel.