Paris, France | AFP | The Chinese Communist Party’s decision to give President Xi Jinping a mandate to rule for life is further evidence of the world’s slide towards more nationalist, authoritarian regimes, analysts said. China’s rubber-stamp parliament, meeting in the imposing Great Hall of the People for an annual …
Read More »China’s parliament puts Xi on course to rule for life
Beijing, China | AFP | China’s Xi Jinping on Sunday secured a path to rule indefinitely as parliament abolished presidential term limits, handing him almost total authority to pursue a vision of transforming the nation into an economic and military superpower. The move reverses the era of “collective” leadership and …
Read More »Trump sees ‘tremendous success’ in upcoming N. Korea talks
Moon Township, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump predicted “tremendous success” Saturday in upcoming groundbreaking talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and suggested the reclusive state wants to “make peace” despite a years-long nuclear standoff. The comments came after the American leader said he has received encouragement …
Read More »Jeff Bezos rockets to richest person on the planet
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Jeff Bezos is officially the richest person on the planet thanks to the success of Amazon — but his bold vision extends to space and even time itself. With Amazon’s share price up nearly 60 percent during the past year, the personal wealth …
Read More »Netanyahu to meet Israel coalition heads for crisis talks
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to meet with Israel’s ruling coalition heads, his office said Saturday, to discuss a political crisis that could force early elections. A meeting with leaders of two ultra-Orthodox parties was to be held later Saturday, to be followed the next …
Read More »‘Most hated man’ gets seven years in jail for defrauding investors
New York, United States | AFP | Martin Shkreli, once dubbed the most hated man in America for ratcheting up the price of an HIV drug, was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday on charges of defrauding investors. The disgraced former pharmaceutical executive and hedge fund manager was convicted in …
Read More »Military vehicles to roll through Washington in parade
Washington, United States | AFP | Military vehicles will roll through Washington on November 11 in a salute to veterans, a Pentagon memo said Friday, detailing President Donald Trump’s dream of hosting a military parade. The White House announced a month ago that Trump had asked for a large-scale military …
Read More »Macron-Modi love on show as France courts India
New Delhi, India | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron Saturday said he wanted his country to be India’s best partner in Europe as he started a three-day trip to the country aimed at ratcheting up security and energy ties. Macron, who was welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi …
Read More »Putin says will not change constitution to cling to power
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to be reelected for a fourth term in an upcoming ballot, said Saturday he had no plans to change the constitution to stay in the Kremlin beyond 2024. Asked by the US television network NBC whether he would …
Read More »Feeling unwell, Tillerson cancels Nairobi programme
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is on his first-ever Africa tour as Washington’s top diplomat, on Saturday cancelled his programme in Kenya because he was feeling unwell, officials said. “The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major …
Read More »