Washington, United States | AFP | The start of open hearings in the impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump on Wednesday will give the American public their first chance to witness live the explosive showdown between Democrats and Republicans over the US leader’s future. The hearing before the House Intelligence Committee …
Read More »Bolivian President Evo Morales throws in the towel
La Paz, Bolivia | AFP | Bolivian President Evo Morales announced his resignation Sunday, caving in following three weeks of sometimes-violent protests over his disputed re-election after the army and police withdrew their backing. “I resign my post as president,” Morales said in a televised address, capping a day of fast-moving …
Read More »Denmark and Iceland clash over priceless mediaeval manuscripts
Copenhagen, Denmark | AFP | They recount tales of Viking raids, Norse history, kings and gods: a priceless collection of mediaeval manuscripts, bequeathed by an Icelandic scholar to the University of Copenhagen in the 18th century, that Iceland now wants back. The UN cultural organisation UNESCO has called them “the single …
Read More »Greece speeds up ‘Golden Visa’ scheme for Chinese investors
Athens, Greece | AFP | Chinese investor Jiang Rungong, who moved to Greece three years ago, says he and his family could not be happier in their new home on the Athens coast. “We chose Greece because of its cultural heritage, its history, the democracy, the freedom. We really like its …
Read More »Pupils assemble AK-47s as Russia marks Kalashnikov at 100
Moscow, Russia | AFP | More than a hundred Russian schoolchildren were taught to assemble AK-47s in a Moscow park on Saturday as the country this weekend celebrates the centenary of the birth of Mikhail Kalashnikov, inventor of the legendary rifle. On Sunday, the 100th anniversary of Kalashinkov’s birth …
Read More »US, EU warn of danger from Russia, China on Berlin Wall anniversary
Berlin, Germany | AFP | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and incoming EU chief Ursula von der Leyen issued stark warnings Friday that the West faces new challenges from Russia and China, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall. Urging Western allies to defend hard-won …
Read More »Trump urges pro-Democratic black vote to switch to his camp
Atlanta, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump on Friday sought to crack Democrats’ solid hold on black voters, telling a gathering of African-Americans in Atlanta that the left has taken them for granted. Trump hammered home his platform of fighting illegal immigration and using trade wars to rebuild the …
Read More »No agreement on China tariff rollback: Trump
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump said Friday he has not agreed to roll back tariffs on Chinese imports, dampening recent optimism for a major de-escalation in the US-China trade war. Amid a steady stream of conflicting reports, Trump’s remarks appeared to push back against Beijing’s claims that …
Read More »Divisions rife as Germany marks 30 years since Berlin Wall fall
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Germany on Saturday marks 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall that ushered in the end of communism and national reunification, as the Western alliance that helped secure those achievements is riddled with divisions. Two days before the date that brought epochal change, France’s …
Read More »Police in Bolivia join opposition as crisis mounts
La Paz, Bolivia | AFP | Police in three Bolivian cities joined anti-government protests Friday, in one case marching with demonstrators in La Paz, in the first sign security forces are withdrawing support from President Evo Morales after a disputed election that has triggered riots. The defense minister said the …
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