Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday the “genocidal taunts” of US President Donald Trump will not “end Iran”, as tensions spike between the two countries. “Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts won’t ‘end Iran’,” …
Read More »US urges immediate resumption of Sudan talks
Washington, United States | AFP | Major international powers during talks Friday in Washington urged Sudan’s military rulers and protesters to resume stalled negotiations immediately, the United States said. Representatives from the UN, African Union and European powers “called for an immediate resumption of talks” between the two sides, tweeted …
Read More »US slaps sanctions over Russia rights despite revived ties
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on five Russians over abuses including the killing of a prominent opposition leader, days after top-level talks seemed to ease tensions between the powers. The State Department highlighted the actions against the five people, plus one …
Read More »Soda taxes work in cutting consumption, US study finds
Washington, United States | AFP | New research backs the argument that “sin taxes” lead to a reduction in consumption, justifying the use of the duties in combating obesity and other health issues, its authors say. The 2017 decision by city officials in Philadelphia to impose a beverage tax on …
Read More »Uber shifts into reverse in disappointing Wall Street debut
New York, United States | AFP | Uber shares skidded Friday in a disappointing Wall Street debut following a massive public offering from the global ride-hailing giant. After pricing at $45 for the initial public offering (IPO) — translating to a market value of $82 billion — Uber shares began …
Read More »Trump: Mueller ‘should not testify’ before US Congress
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller “should not testify” before Congress on his Russia election meddling inquiry, setting up a confrontation with Democrats already irate over what they view as increasingly brazen administration stone-walling. Trump’s statement represented a reversal; …
Read More »US, European Union condemn attack on media freedom
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The U.S ambassador to Uganda, Deborah Malac has said government’s attack on the media is a step in a wrong direction. Malac, who was on Friday delivering a keynote address at a World Press Freedom Day national conference at Golf Course Hotel, said Uganda Communication …
Read More »Despite record diversity, 70-something white men rule 2020 race
Washington, United States | AFP | Democrats seeking to reclaim the White House are calling for generational change. It may be time for a woman, they say, or a minority figure. But for all the talk of breaking new presidential ground, the opposition party’s top candidates to become the new …
Read More »US military spending up for first time in 7 years: Sipri
Stockholm, Sweden | AFP | US military spending has risen for the first time in seven years, reflecting Trump administration policy, according to a new report released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Worldwide military spending also rose by 2.6 percent to $1.8 trillion overall last year, …
Read More »Gloves off as Biden eyes Trump knockout in 2020
Washington, United States | AFP | “I don’t see Joe Biden as a threat.” It was with these words that Donald Trump earlier this month summarily dismissed the challenge posed by the former vice president, who on Thursday announced his long-expected decision to run for the Democratic nomination in 2020. …
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