Moscow, Russia | AFP | With the shock replacement of his government and plans for a constitutional overhaul, President Vladimir Putin has set in motion sweeping changes to Russia’s political order. But what is the longtime Russian leader really up to? And — with Putin facing the end in 2024 …
Read More »Meghan Markle makes first public appearance since shock announcement
Vancouver, Canada | AFP | Meghan Markle has made her first public appearance since she and Prince Harry sensationally decided to quit as full-time royals, visiting two women’s charities in Vancouver as British media reported she could face her father in court. Harry and Meghan are in the middle of a …
Read More »Russian parliament to review Putin PM pick after shock overhaul
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian lawmakers will begin reviewing President Vladimir Putin’s nomination of a little-known tax chief as the new prime minister Thursday after his announcement of a sweeping constitutional shake-up fuelled speculation about his future plans. The overwhelmingly Kremlin-loyal State Duma lower parliament is likely to approve Mikhail …
Read More »US Senate prepares to set Trump trial in motion
Washington, United States | AFP | Articles of impeachment charging President Donald Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress will be formally read to the Senate Thursday, setting in motion a historic trial that threatens the US leader with removal from office. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will then …
Read More »Iran’s Rouhani urges ‘unity’ after plane protests
Tehran, Iran | AFP | President Hassan Rouhani appealed Wednesday for “unity” and flagged the need for radical changes to the way Iran is run, after a wave of angry protests over the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner. The Kiev-bound Boeing 737 was shot down in a catastrophic error shortly …
Read More »Islamic State replaces al-Qaeda as Enemy No. 1 in Sahel
Bamako, Mali | AFP | Brutal attacks that have killed nearly 300 people in less than two months have propelled the Islamic State to the status of the Sahel’s most-feared jihadist group, eclipsing al-Qaeda, experts say. The vast fragile region on the southern rim of the Sahara has been battling an …
Read More »Russian government resigns as Putin pushes reforms
Moscow, Russia | AFP | The Russian government resigned on Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin proposed a series of constitutional reforms, Russian news agencies reported. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the proposals would make significant changes to the country’s balance of power and so “the government in its current form has …
Read More »Trump trial likely to begin next Tuesday: Senate chief
Washington, United States | AFP | The Senate impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump is likely to begin in seven days with key players sworn in later this week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday. McConnell said he expected the House of Representatives to deliver the articles of impeachment against …
Read More »New footage shows Iranian missiles hitting Ukraine plane
Washington, United States | AFP | New video footage has emerged showing two Iranian missiles tearing through the night sky and hitting a Ukrainian passenger plane, sending the aircraft down in flames and killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. The projectiles were fired 30 seconds apart and explain why …
Read More »Trump trial looms as Pelosi to send charges to Senate on Wednesday
Washington, United States | AFP | The US House of Representatives will transmit articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate on Wednesday, setting the stage for the US leader’s trial for abuse of power, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced. “Tomorrow, we will transmit those articles & name …
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