Paris, France | AFP | One of the leaders of the “yellow vest” anti-government demonstrations, Eric Drouet, was detained by French police and placed in custody on Wednesday for organising a central Paris protest without declaring it, according to a source at the prosecutors office. Drouet — who already faces …
Read More »Conditions for papal visit to Iraq ‘not yet met’: Vatican
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | The conditions for a possible visit to Iraq by Pope Francis have not yet been met, the Vatican number two said on Wednesday, citing concerns about the possibility of a terrorist attack targeting the pontiff. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, …
Read More »Trump to meet lawmakers in bid to end government shutdown
Washington, United States | AFP | A partial shutdown of the US government entered a 12th day Wednesday as President Donald Trump prepared to meet top Democratic and Republican lawmakers in a bid to break the impasse over his demand for funding for a border wall with Mexico. One day …
Read More »Clashes after women enter flashpoint Indian temple
Thiruvananthapuram, India | AFP | Violence erupted in southern India on Wednesday after two women defied traditionalists to enter one of Hinduism’s holiest temples for the first time since a landmark court ruling. Police fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon as protests and clashes between rival groups erupted …
Read More »Fatal air crashes and deaths up in 2018: watchdog
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | A total of 556 people died in 15 plane crashes in 2018, significantly more than the previous year, but long-term trends show safety improving, an aviation watchdog reported. The year 2017 was the safest year in aviation history with only 44 people killed in …
Read More »Trump says looks forward to new meeting with N.Korea’s Kim
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump said Tuesday he looked forward to another summit with Kim Jong Un, a day after the North Korean leader warned Pyongyang could take a different approach to nuclear talks if US economic sanctions persist. “I also look forward to meeting with …
Read More »‘CALM DOWN,’ Trump tells detractors in New Year’s message
Washington, United States | AFP | For many, the New Year presents an opportunity for introspection and vows of self-improvement. Not so for US President Donald Trump, who kicked off 2019 in characteristically belligerent fashion, tweeting an all-caps message to his critics, telling them to “CALM DOWN AND ENJOY THE …
Read More »Israel opposition in dramatic split ahead of election
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Israel’s centre-left opposition dramatically split on Tuesday ahead of an April 9 election, with leader Avi Gabbay announcing he would no longer partner with veteran politician Tzipi Livni as she sat stone-faced next to him. The announcement means the end of their Zionist Union alliance, …
Read More »Serena in inspirational message to working mums
Perth, Australia | AFP | Serena Williams has posted an inspirational New Year message to mums and dads juggling parenthood with work, saying “anything is possible”. The 23-time Grand Slam champion began 2019 in Perth at the mixed teams Hopman Cup, with baby Alexis Olympia in tow. She posted a …
Read More »Around 100 Central Americans try to enter US on New Year’s Eve
Tijuana, Mexico | AFP | Around 100 Central American migrants made a failed attempt on New Year’s Eve to cross over from Mexico into the United States. They were among 1,500 migrants who have remained in Tijuana after a once-5,000-strong caravan of travelers largely gave up and dispersed. An AFP …
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