Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis met Monday with Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, France’s highest-ranking Catholic official, who was expected to tender his resignation after receiving a six-month suspended jail sentence for failing to report sex abuse by a priest under his authority. The Vatican confirmed the meeting …
Read More »China hits out at ‘abnormal, immoral’ attacks on Huawei
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | China’s foreign minister lashed out Monday at “abnormal, immoral” attacks on Huawei amid growing concern, led by the US, that the telecom giant poses a security risk to the West. Wang Yi demanded a “fair and just competition environment” for Chinese firms as he met EU foreign ministers and officials …
Read More »‘Shameless’ scammers seek to cash in on Christchurch massacre
Christchurch, New Zealand | AFP | Scammers are trying to cash in on the Christchurch mosque massacres, using phishing emails with links to fake bank accounts to ensnare people keen to donate, New Zealand’s cyber security body said Monday. The attack on two mosques in which 50 worshippers were killed, allegedly by a white supremacist, …
Read More »‘Hip hop music changes cheese taste’
Cheesy listening: study says tunes change Emmental’s taste Bergdorf, Switzerland | AFP | It may be grating for some, but hip-hop is music to the ears of Switzerland’s most famous cheese. According to research on the musical tastes of Emmental, the holey cheese changes flavour depending on the melodies played …
Read More »Trump signs first veto
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump signed the first veto of his presidency Friday, overriding congressional opposition to secure emergency funds to build more walls on the US-Mexico border. Trump declared in the Oval Office that he was “proud” to sign the veto. It came after he suffered …
Read More »‘Ordinary white man’? Picture of New Zealand accused emerges
Christchurch, New Zealand | AFP | A one-time gym trainer from rural Australia who became steeped in neo-fascist ideology during travels in Europe, Brenton Tarrant described himself as an “ordinary white man” — until he became anything but ordinary. The gunman behind the massacre of 49 people in two New …
Read More »New Zealand mosque killings spark global horror
Paris, France | AFP | Attacks on two mosques in New Zealand which left at least 49 people dead on Friday — the Muslim day of prayer — have sparked horror, revulsion and dismay around the world. “It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” …
Read More »Arlene Foster: Troubles’ war child holding May’s Brexit key
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The fate of Theresa May’s tortured Brexit deal now appears to rest squarely with Arlene Foster — a Northern Irish ultra-conservative politician whose father was shot in the head by the IRA. She has been thrust into the global spotlight by a confluence of events …
Read More »Apple disputes Spotify anti-competitive claims
Paris, France | AFP | Apple dismissed Friday Spotify’s accusations of anti-competitive behaviour, saying the Swedish music streaming giant was trying to enjoy the benefits of its online market without paying the cost of its upkeep. Spotify filed on Wednesday a formal complaint with the EU Commission that took issue with …
Read More »NZealand mosque killings spark global horror
Paris, France | AFP | Attacks on two mosques in New Zealand which left at least 49 people dead on Friday have sparked horror, revulsion and dismay around the world. One of the gunmen – believed to be an Australian extremist — apparently livestreamed the deadly assault. “It is clear …
Read More »