Washington, United States | AFP | The World Bank fund dedicated to helping the world’s poorest countries on Tuesday announced it has raised $1.5 billion in its first-ever global bond issue, which enjoyed huge demand from investors. The International Development Association (IDA) issued a five-year AAA-rated bond which had nearly …
Read More »US, Britain warn of Russian campaign to hack networks
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Russian government-sponsored hackers are compromising the key hardware of government and business computer networks like routers and firewalls, giving them virtual control of data flows, Britain and the United States warned Monday. The operation was “to support espionage, extract intellectual property, maintain persistent access to …
Read More »Britain eyes Brexit boost from Commonwealth summit
2364, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s hosting of this week’s Commonwealth summit was overshadowed Monday by a scandal involving longtime Caribbean immigrants threatened with deportation, distracting from an agenda of increased trade London hoped to promote ahead of Brexit. After initially turning them down, Prime Minister Theresa May is …
Read More »Trump’s lawyer in court: the feds, the porn star, the Fox anchor
New York, United States | AFP | Donald Trump’s legal battle with his own Justice Department led to an extraordinary courtroom showdown Monday between his personal lawyer, one of America’s most prestigious prosecution offices and a lavender-clad porn star fueling the media circus. The high-stakes hearing before a federal judge …
Read More »New York Times, New Yorker win Pulitzer for #MeToo watershed
New York, United States | AFP | The New York Times and The New Yorker won the Pulitzer Prize for public service on Monday for explosive reporting that brought down Harvey Weinstein and spawned a cultural watershed on the issue of sexual harassment. The prestigious prize was awarded to the …
Read More »May, Macron face lawmakers angry over Syria strikes
2364, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday faced anger from lawmakers for conducting air strikes with the United States in Syria in their first major military action since coming to power. May was due to address MPs after proceeding …
Read More »Facebook takes out ads to tout new EU data protection law
2447, Germany | AFP | Facebook took out full-page ads in European newspapers Monday to trumpet tough new EU legislation that promises “more data protection for you”, as the company seeks to win back trust following a damaging privacy scandal. The new law, set to come into effect on May …
Read More »NASA’s new planet-hunter to seek closer, Earth-like worlds
Tampa, United States | AFP | NASA is poised to launch a $337 million washing machine-sized spacecraft that aims to vastly expand mankind’s search for planets beyond our solar system, particularly closer, Earth-sized ones that might harbor life. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, is scheduled to launch Monday …
Read More »Trump ‘morally unfit’ for office, fired FBI chief Comey says
6666, United States | AFP | Fired former FBI chief James Comey lashed out at Donald Trump in an interview with ABC broadcast Sunday, calling him “morally unfit” to be president and describing him as a serial liar who will “stain everyone around him.” Comey’s remarks are the latest salvo …
Read More »Iran bans foreign social media networks in schools
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran’s ministry of education on Sunday banned the use of foreign social media networks in schools, the ILNA news agency reported, amid a push by Tehran to limit the influence of outside online platforms. Schools must “only use domestic social networks” for their communication, the …
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