United Nations, United States | AFP | Drastic cuts in US funding to the United Nations would create an insoluble problem for the world body, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday as he announced plans to lobby US lawmakers to reject the cutbacks. Guterres will travel to Washington next week …
Read More »US student evacuated from N. Korea has died
Chicago, United States | AFP | Otto Warmbier, the US student released by North Korea in a coma last week after more than a year in detention, has died, his family said Monday. The 22-year-old, who had suffered severe brain damage, was medically evacuated to the United States on June …
Read More »Havana will ‘never negotiate under pressure’
Vienna, Austria | AFP | Cuba will “never negotiate under pressure,” Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Monday, responding to a toughening of the US line on links with his country. “We will never negotiate under pressure or threat…,” he told reporters in Vienna during a visit to Austria. “Cuba will …
Read More »In Rome, Central Africa govt inks peace deal with rebel groups
Rome, Italy | AFP | Central African Republic’s government on Monday signed an “immediate ceasefire” deal with rebel groups during a meeting in Rome aimed at ending violence in the strife-torn country. The truce will see armed groups be given representation in the political arena in exchange for an end …
Read More »Rodman hails North Korea visit as a ‘good trip’
Beijing, China | AFP | Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman landed in Beijing Saturday after a visit to North Korea, describing the escapade as a “real good trip”. Sporting a baseball cap, sunglasses, green nail polish and a black t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of sponsor PotCoin — a …
Read More »US moves to reassure Qatar with arms sale, joint exercise
Doha, Qatar | AFP | The United States agreed a $12-billion warplane sale to Qatar and began manoeuvres with its military Thursday, re-affirming support for the emirate in the throes of a diplomatic crisis with its neighbours. A deal for the “state-of-the-art” F-15 fighters was signed by Qatar in Washington, …
Read More »Macron in Morocco to discuss Libya, Qatar
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron was in Morocco Wednesday on a 24-hour visit for talks on battling terrorism as well as the Libyan conflict and Qatar’s dispute with its Gulf neighbours. As he stepped off the plane for his first visit to Morocco since his election …
Read More »PICTORIAL: Newly-accredited envoys present credentials to President Museveni
PICTORIAL: Five newly-accredited envoys to Uganda presented credentials to President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday at State House, Entebbe. This after related welcome ceremonies. Sara Hradecky, the new High Commissioner of Canada. “We urge Canada to join us in our efforts to support refugees,” said Museveni. Maria Erla Marelsdottir of Iceland. “Uganda hopes to …
Read More »Ex-NBA star Rodman heading to North Korea
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman is expected to arrive in Pyongyang Tuesday, US media reported, with the heavily-tattooed former player apparently set for another round of his controversial “basketball diplomacy”. The eccentric ex-Chicago Bulls power forward made at least four visits to Pyongyang, …
Read More »Kagame, Sisi head to Berlin for G20-Africa
Merkel’s G20-Africa meet aims to reduce poverty, migrant influx Berlin, Germany | AFP | German Chancellor Angela Merkel will on Monday meet African leaders in Berlin on initiatives aiming to reduce the poverty and conflict driving a mass migrant influx to Europe. The idea is to team up African nations …
Read More »