On the impeccably clean streets of Rwanda’s capital, where a skyline of gleaming new buildings pokes through undulating hills, few have heard of opposition presidential aspirants Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana. They were only confirmed as candidates and allowed to begin fundraising a week before Friday’s campaign start for August 4 presidential polls in the … Read more
Signed with pomp and fanfare on July 14, 2015, the Iranian nuclear agreement was heralded as a triumph for American diplomacy and international cooperation on nonproliferation. Two years later, it has few friends in the Trump administration or in Tehran. When it was signed in Vienna, President Barack Obama and his secretary of state, John … Read more
The world hailed Chinese Nobel peace laureate Liu Xiaobo as a brave fighter for human rights after his death from cancer. Liu, a government critic and thorn in the side of the authorities for decades, died in custody, having been sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2009 for “subversion”. His death brought criticism for … Read more
US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart offered praise for Xi Jinping at a press conference Thursday, but avoiding comment or criticism over Chinese Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo’s death. Trump described Xi, the Chinese president, as a friend and patriot, refraining from offering any remarks on the death of Liu, a prominent dissident who … Read more
The conflict in Mali is spilling over to Burkina Faso and Niger, with a significant surge of attacks by extremist groups in border areas over past months, the UN envoy for West Africa warned Thursday. Mohamed Ibn Chambas said deadly attacks along border areas were having an impact on the local economy in the northern … Read more
French President Emmanuel Macron rolled out the red carpet to welcome Donald Trump to Paris on Thursday for an overseas trip the White House hopes will offer respite from a growing scandal back home. The US president is to be Macron’s guest of honour during celebrations for Bastille Day on Friday, France’s national day, which … Read more
President Donald Trump says the mood in the White House is “fantastic” despite intense scrutiny of his campaign’s alleged dealings with Russia. He told Reuters the administration was “functioning beautifully”. The president also defended his son, who it has emerged met a Russian lawyer during the election campaign. US media describe the White House as … Read more
CBS News and the BBC on Wednesday announced a new editorial and newsgathering partnership that aims to boost their global strength against rivals such as CNN. The US and British television news giants will share video, editorial content, and other resources in New York, London, Washington and around the world, according to a joint statement. … Read more
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday wrapped up a four-day mission to the Gulf with little sign of progress in resolving the diplomatic crisis pitting Saudi Arabia and its allies against Qatar. Tillerson met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for the second time in 48 hours, together with a Kuwaiti mediator, … Read more
The French government will appeal a court ruling that US internet giant Google is not liable for 1.12 billion euros ($1.27 billion) in taxes claimed by the state, Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said Thursday. “We will appeal this ruling to safeguard the interests of the state,” Darmanin told parliament. The court ruled Wednesday that France … Read more
President Donald Trump says the mood in the White House is “fantastic” despite intense scrutiny of his campaign’s alleged dealings with Russia. He told Reuters the administration was “functioning beautifully”. The president also defended his son, who it has emerged met a Russian lawyer during the election campaign. US media describe the White House as … Read more
Donald Trump arrived in Paris on Thursday for a presidential visit filled with Bastille Day pomp and which the White House hopes will offer respite from rolling scandal back home. Air Force One touched down at Paris’ Orly Airport shortly after 0630 GMT at the start of a 24-hour trip during which the US leader … Read more
Clint Eastwood has cast three young Americans who stopped a terrorist attack on a high-speed train to play themselves in “The 15:17 to Paris,” according to US media. Anthony Sadler, Oregon National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and US Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone were traveling through Europe when they overpowered a man with an … Read more
US President Donald Trump departed for France Wednesday, as yet another political firestorm swirled in Washington over allegations that Russia helped the Republican ascend to the White House. Air Force One departed at 7:43 pm (2343 GMT) for the trip to Paris during which Trump, who sported a cerulean blue tie for the trip, is … Read more
Donald Trump sat down for an interview with Christian conservative broadcaster Pat Robertson on Wednesday amid a cascade of revelations about Russian election meddling that have rocked the White House. Trump has had next to nothing on his public schedule since he returned to the US last weekend from Germany. He heads back to Europe … Read more
Google is not liable for 1.115 billion euros ($1.272 billion) in unpaid taxes claimed by the French state, a French court ruled Wednesday, saying the internet giant’s Irish subsidiary is not taxable in France. “The French company Google Ireland Limited (GIL) is not taxable in France for the 2005 to 2010 period,” the court ruled. … Read more
The first of more than 3,500 would-be migrants picked up off the coast of Libya in recent days arrived Wednesday in Italy, as Rome pressures other countries into taking their share. The early morning saw a coast guard vessel with 481 migrants aboard reach the southern Sicilian port of Pozzallo, while the Phoenix vessel of … Read more
France will cut processing time for asylum requests and boost housing for refugees while “systematically” deporting illegal economic migrants, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Wednesday. Unveiling an “action plan” for dealing with tens of thousands of people who arrive in France each year, Philippe said it aimed to “guarantee the right to asylum (and) better … Read more
A group of far-right activists has hired a boat to patrol the Mediterranean and prevent would-be migrants from reaching Europe. The ‘Defend Europe’ vigilante scheme was announced by anti-immigration campaigners from France, Italy and Germany after they managed to crowdfund the 76,000 euros ($87,000) needed to rent a vessel. The plan aims ‘to expose the … Read more
China has deployed troops to its first overseas naval base in Djibouti, a major step forward for the country’s expansion of its military presence abroad. Chinese sailors sailed out of a naval base in Zhanjiang in the southern province of Guangdong on Tuesday and towards the Horn of Africa nation, according to a statement posted … Read more