London, United Kingdom | AFP | From the shock Brexit referendum result to Tuesday’s landmark vote to reject the divorce deal struck between London and the European Union, here are the milestones on Britain’s rocky road out of the bloc after 46 years. – Britons vote to leave – In …
Read More »‘God knows’: Brexit vote leaves Irish border in limbo
Dundalk, Ireland | AFP | In the town of Dundalk near the Irish border, locals reacted with exasperation and concern at news that the British parliament had rejected a Brexit deal with the EU. “God knows what will happen,” said barman Gavin McCann, pulling pints at The Vinegar Man …
Read More »What next for Brexit? Three main scenarios
London, United Kingdom | AFP | What next? After British MPs rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal on Tuesday, triggering a no-confidence vote in the government, that is the question on everyone’s lips. Here are the three main scenarios facing Britain while the clock ticks down to March 29, …
Read More »Macron’s ‘Great Debate’: How will it work?
Paris, France | AFP | Facing the biggest test of his presidency, President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday launched a series of public forums inviting voters to express their concerns and hopes after two months of anti-government protests. Here’s how the government plans to carry out its “Great National Debate”, aimed …
Read More »British PM faces confidence vote after Brexit humiliation
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Theresa May will on Wednesday face a confidence vote after MPs overwhelmingly rejected her deal to leave the European Union, leaving Britain with no plan as it hurtles towards Brexit on March 29. May suffered the largest government defeat in modern British …
Read More »Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab
Mogadishu, Somalia | AFP | The Al-Shabaab, meaning “youth” in Arabic, is fighting an armed insurrection in Somalia, which has been mired in chaos since 1991. Here is some background on the Islamist group with links to Al-Qaeda. – Al-Qaeda links – The Shabaab stem from Somalia’s Islamic Courts that …
Read More »Merkel’s ‘crown princess’ seeks to chart own path
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Dismissed by some as a mini-Angela Merkel, the new leader of Germany’s centre-right CDU party and likely next chancellor has marked the turn of the year by underlining a change in tone from her mentor. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, known in Germany as AKK after her …
Read More »Interpreters demand to stay out as Trump row throws spotlight
Washington, United States | AFP | Explosive allegations that US President Donald Trump concealed conversations with Russia have thrown an unwelcome spotlight on interpreters, whose quick wit is vital to diplomacy and who stay scrupulously in the shadows. Interpreters, whether they are working at high-stakes international summits or in low-level …
Read More »UK parliament deals historic defeat to PM May’s Brexit deal
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s parliament on Tuesday voted against Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal by a massive margin, triggering a no confidence vote that could bring down her government. The House of Commons lower house voted 432 to 202 against May’s plan for taking Britain …
Read More »Trump and Russia: what drives the suspicions?
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump faced new heat Monday after news reports that he has hid from aides the details of discussions with Vladimir Putin and that the FBI investigated him as a potential national security risk who might be acting on behalf of Russia. Trump …
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