Washington, United States | AFP | US actress Meghan Markle, who is to wed Britain’s Prince Harry next year, will become the latest American to marry into a royal family. Here’s a brief look at five other American women who became princesses or queens: – Grace Kelly – Actress Grace Kelly …
Read More »Evacuation centres, hotels fill up as Bali eruption looms
Karangasem, Indonesia | AFP | Evacuation centres and hotels in Bali filled up Tuesday with tens of thousands seeking refuge as a volcano on the Indonesian resort island threatened to erupt, forcing the closure of the main airport for a second day. Stranded tourists hunted for accommodation while frightened villagers …
Read More »Obamas ‘delighted’ by British royal engagement
Washington, United States | AFP | Barack and Michelle Obama said Monday they were “delighted” to learn of the engagement of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, whose Invictus Games the former presidential couple has actively championed. Britain’s royal family announced earlier Monday that the one-time playboy royal would marry his …
Read More »China taps Africa at Morocco Silk Road investment forum
Marrakesh, Morocco | AFP | A two-day investment forum opened in Morocco’s Marrakesh on Monday as China seeks to revive ancient Silk Road trade routes from Asia to Europe and Africa. “The question is how to accelerate cooperation in the field of investment,” said Wang Yong, vice president of the …
Read More »Trump administration eyes easing student debt protections
Washington, United States | AFP | Thousands of students who ran up unpayable debts at for-profit schools are anxiously waiting to see if US President Donald Trump’s administration does away with anti-fraud protections put in place by his predecessor Barack Obama. Some 95,000 cases of former students seeking forgiveness of …
Read More »Over 180 women claim sex assault at US massage chain: report
Washington, United States | AFP | More than 180 women have reported being sexually assaulted when they were customers of Massage Envy, the largest chain of massage spas in the United States, according to a BuzzFeed News investigation. The report published over the weekend comes amid a wave of sexual assault …
Read More »Meghan Markle: A feminist among Britain’s royals
London, United Kingdom | AFP | American, mixed-race and “fiercely independent”: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s actor girlfriend, will breathe fresh air into the British royal family when she marries Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson next Spring. Playing a lawyer in the hit television show “Suits”, the 36-year-old actress with long flowing …
Read More »Love at first sight: Prince Harry to marry Meghan Markle next year
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s Prince Harry said Monday he was “thrilled” to be marrying his American girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year, confirming months of speculation about the one-time playboy royal and the glamorous actress. The prince revealed he fell for Markle — who will inject a …
Read More »Trudeau urges international community to fight Libyan slavery
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday urged the international community to “do more” following reports of the “abhorrent and despicable” enslavement of vulnerable African refugees arriving in Libya. “Canada will not stay silent in the face of such inhumane atrocities,” Trudeau said in a statement …
Read More »Pakistan minister resigns after violent Islamist protests: state media
Islamabad, Pakistan | AFP | Pakistan’s law minister Zahid Hamid has resigned, state media reported Monday, meeting a key demand of Islamist protesters who have clashed violently with security forces and blockaded the capital Islamabad for weeks. Hamid “has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to steer …
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