Welzow, Germany | AFP | Germany’s forests have long been treasured by its people, so the country has reacted with alarm and dismay as a beetle infestation has turned climate-stressed woodlands into brown ecological graveyards. After two unusually hot summers in a row, vast patches of the forests mythologised by …
Read More »Trump returns to White House and biggest crisis of presidency
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump flew back to Washington on Thursday and into the biggest crisis of his tempestuous presidency, raging at enemies and talking darkly of a conspiracy. Trump’s three day trip to New York was meant to showcase his achievements in a speech to the United …
Read More »Show ‘evidence’ Iran attacked Saudi oil facility: Rouhani
New York, United States | AFP | Iranian President Hassan Rouhani challenged the US and others Thursday to provide evidence to back up their accusations that Tehran carried out this month’s attack on a Saudi oil facility. “Those who make the allegations must provide the needed proof. What is your evidence?” …
Read More »US to send 200 troops, Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia
Washington, United States | AFP | The Pentagon announced Thursday the deployment of 200 troops with Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia to help with the country’s defense in the wake of last months attacks on oil installations blamed on Iran. “This deployment will augment the kingdom’s air and missile defense …
Read More »US vaping backlash sparks profit warning at Imperial
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Shares in British tobacco giant Imperial Brands slumped Thursday after it issued a profit-warning linked to a backlash against vaping in the United States. Imperial, whose e-cigarette brand is blu and traditional tobacco brands include Davidoff and Gauloises, expects annual revenue to grow 2.0 percent, …
Read More »Trump whistleblower complaint ‘very troubling’, say lawmakers
New York, United States | AFP | A whistleblower report that has prompted an impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump contains “very troubling” allegations, US lawmakers have said, after the president dismissed the case against him as a “joke.” Democrats have accused Trump of a “mafia-style shakedown” of his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr …
Read More »German woman boxer’s fight to wear headscarf in the ring
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Berlin boxer Zeina Nassar’s fighting spirit has won her plenty of titles, but her battle to wear the hijab in the ring has also made her an equal opportunity champion. Today, the 21-year-old, who discovered female boxing by watching online videos as a teenager, is a …
Read More »Trump calls Democratic impeachment inquiry a ‘joke’
New York, United States | AFP | A downbeat Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed as a “joke” the grounds laid out for the impeachment inquiry into him, as Democrats stood firm in accusing the US president of a “mafia-style shakedown” of his Ukrainian counterpart. Trump denied claims he abused his …
Read More »No UN breakthrough: Iran rules out talks as US intensifies sanctions
United Nations, United States | AFP | Iran’s president on Wednesday closed the door on meeting Donald Trump despite last-minute European efforts to ease tensions as the United States again ramped up punishing sanctions. French President Emmanuel Macron had shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the …
Read More »Court rules that UK transgender man who gave birth is child’s mother
London, United Kingdom | AFP | A transgender man who gave birth but did not want to be registered as the child’s mother on the birth certificate lost a legal battle at England’s High Court on Wednesday. Freddy McConnell, 32, was born as a woman but has lived as …
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