WORLD

Paris, France | AFP |  Thousands paid tribute to George Floyd in Paris on Tuesday as the prime minister insisted that France and its security forces were “not racist”, following a string of allegations of heavy-handedness and police brutality. Some placards at the rally, which took place at the same time …

Stockholm, Sweden | AFP |  In a highly anticipated announcement, Swedish prosecutors will reveal Wednesday whether they are pressing charges or closing the investigation into the unsolved 1986 murder of prime minister Olof Palme. The killing, which current Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has described as an “open wound”, has stumped …

Washington, United States | AFP |  Russia called Tuesday on the United States to make a “positive” proposal as the powers open talks on a major disarmament treaty, warning that US insistence on including China could scuttle efforts. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will meet in Vienna on June 22 with …

Washington, United States | AFP | Global economic growth could rebound next year but the number of people living in extreme poverty is expected to remain unchanged, the World Bank warned Tuesday. The projection came after the Washington-based development lender said Monday the coronavirus pandemic could drive between 70 and 100 million people into extreme …

Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that an elderly man seen bleeding from the head after he was pushed to the ground by US riot police was faking. “I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?” Trump asked on his massively followed …

Beijing, China | AFP | China has removed pangolin parts from its official list of traditional medicines, state media reported Tuesday, days after increasing legal protections on the endangered animal. Pangolins were left out of the official Chinese Pharmacopoeia this year, along with substances including a pill formulated with bat faeces, the state-owned Health Times …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged the “cold reality” behind angry protests against racial injustice, but warned he would not tolerate violence or the breaking of coronavirus distancing laws. Demonstrations have broken out across Britain following the death of George Floyd in the United …

Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran said Tuesday it will execute a man whose conviction for spying for the US and Israel by helping target a top Iranian general has been upheld by the supreme court. Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was convicted of spying on Iran’s armed forces “especially the Quds Force and on the whereabouts …

Milan, Italy | AFP | Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italy’s far right, has seen his popularity drop as the coronavirus pandemic has drowned out his anti-immigrant message, but his League party remains a potent threat to the government. The big man with the beard is much less visible in the …

Belgrade, Serbia | AFP |  An excuse to dominate the airwaves, sideline the opposition and cast himself as a saviour: President Aleksandar Vucic has emerged from the coronavirus crisis stronger than ever as he looks to extend his vice-like grip on Serbia’s troubled democracy. After flattening the infection curve and capping …