WORLD

Beijing, China | AFP | Beijing will lower import tariffs on more than 850 products including frozen pork from next month, the finance ministry said Monday, as authorities battle a severe shortage of the meat staple. China’s pig industry has been hammered by African swine fever, which has led to the …

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP |  The son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi welcomed a court verdict Monday that saw five people sentenced to death over the killing, saying justice had been served. “Fairness of the judiciary is based on two principles, justice and swift litigation,” Salah Khashoggi, who …

Washington, United States | AFP | US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sparred on Monday over the ground rules for President Donald Trump’s trial in the Senate on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Pelosi, the speaker of the Democratic-controlled House of …

Washington, United States | AFP | A US budget official told the Pentagon to “hold off” on military aid to Kiev 90 minutes after a controversial phone call between President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, according to an internal email. The email was part of a series published …

Paris, France | AFP | Just days after Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a raid by US special forces in October, the Islamic State group announced the name of the man who has replaced him as leader. But the true identity of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi remains shrouded in mystery, …

Washington, United States | AFP | Stephen Miller, one of Donald Trump’s most radical advisors, is known for his unswerving defense of a resolutely anti-immigrant policy. But a recently leaked trove of emails also shows him appearing to promote white supremacist views — prompting 25 Jewish members of Congress to demand …

Thessaloniki, Greece | AFP |  Thirty-eight years after he revived his family’s small vineyard in northern Greece, Vangelis Gerovassiliou proudly gazes on his property that grows one of the country’s most popular wines. And after 45 years in the business, Gerovassiliou says that with a little local savvy, there are answers …

Paris, France | AFP |  The first Ariane space rocket lifted off over the forests of French Guiana 40 years ago, enabling Europe to at last take its place as an independent player in the international race for space. Following a number of delays and technical setbacks, Ariane 1 finally left …

Seoul, South Korea | AFP |  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un discussed strengthening his country’s military capability with top military officials, state media reported Sunday, with Pyongyang’s end-of-year deadline for the US to offer concessions approaching. The North promised an ominous “Christmas gift” earlier this month if Washington does …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Fallon Sherrock, the first woman to win a match at the world darts championship, reached the third round with a stunning bullseye finish on Saturday and confidently predicted she could win the tournament. The 25-year-old saw off world number 11 Mensur Suljovic of Austria …