Qatar said Saturday a series of demands made by several Arab states to lift a crippling blockade were designed to be spurned and clearly aimed at infringing its sovereignty. “This list of demands is made to be rejected,” Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said, referring to 13 demands placed on Doha by … Read more
The United Nations on Friday approved a nearly $600 million cut to its peacekeeping budget following pressure from the United States to reduce funding to the world body. The General Assembly approved by consensus the annual budget expected to total $7.3 billion, down from the current $7.87 billion spent on peace missions worldwide. UN member-states … Read more
Some 60 people are missing and believed drowned after the dinghy they were on sank off Libya, the International Organization for Migration said Friday, citing survivor testimony. The inflatable had been carrying 140-150 people including women when it began taking on water five hours after setting off from North Africa on Monday, according to 80 … Read more
A clear majority of German MPs have voted to legalise same-sex marriage, days after Chancellor Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to a vote. The reform grants couples now limited to civil unions full marital rights, and allows them to adopt children. Mrs Merkel’s political opponents were strongly in favour. But the chancellor, who signalled her … Read more
German MPs are expected to vote to legalise same-sex marriage, days after Chancellor Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to the idea. The reform would give gay men and lesbians full marital rights, and allow them to adopt children. At present, German same-sex couples are limited to civil unions. On Monday Mrs Merkel, who previously opposed … Read more
A former CIA agent who was found guilty of kidnapping an Egyptian imam by an Italian court more than a decade ago said Thursday she intended to return to Italy to face her sentence, but hopes to avoid prison. Sabrina de Sousa, who holds dual American and Portuguese nationality, said she would leave Portugal to … Read more
Italy has threatened to close its ports to aid groups rescuing migrants off Libya’s coast as it struggles to cope with the highest rate of rescues this year, officials said. The country’s representative to the EU, Maurizio Massari, said the situation ‘has become unsustainable’ as it emerged 10,000 refugees have tried to cross the Mediterranean in … Read more
Lebanon’s government says a dam planned for a valley near Beirut is vital to tackle chronic water shortages, but the location on a seismic fault line has raised fears among residents. “How can you build a dam in an earthquake zone? We don’t even have houses that are earthquake-proof,” said Amer Meshmushi, a resident of … Read more
Pope Francis on Wednesday created five new cardinals in a Vatican ceremony that, while deeply traditional in form, also reflected his vision of a reshaped Church for the 21st century. Four of the five new cardinals come from countries that have never had a cardinal before: El Salvador, Laos, Mali and Sweden. The fifth is … Read more
Companies across the globe are reporting that they have been struck by a major ransomware cyber-attack. British advertising agency WPP is among those to say its IT systems have been disrupted as a consequence. The virus, the source of which is not yet known, freezes the user’s computer until an untraceable ransom is paid in … Read more
The bodies of at least 25 migrants who drowned trying to reach Europe were found near Tripoli Tuesday, the Libyan Red Crescent said. Some of the corpses were washed ashore on a beach near the Libyan capital, but most were on rocks off the suburb of Tajoura in a state of decomposition, an AFP photographer … Read more
The Queen is to receive an 8% increase in income from public funds, after the Crown Estate’s profits rose by £24m. The Sovereign Grant, which pays for the salaries of her household, official travel and upkeep of palaces, is to increase by more than £6m in 2018/19. It comes as accounts revealed the Queen’s official … Read more
Twenty-four West African migrants were rescued and dozens more feared dead after traffickers deserted them in Niger’s northern desert without food or water, a senior local official said. The migrants rescued on Sunday were part of a group of “70 people who had left in three vehicles from Agadez for Libya,” Fatoumi Boudou, the prefect … Read more
Former South Africa forward and coach Nick Mallett hailed the Springboks for completing a 3-0 Test series whitewash over France on Saturday. “Incredible,” said the SuperSport TV analyst, referring to the dramatic turnaround in fortunes for a country that has won the World Cup twice. South Africa beat France 37-14 in Pretoria, 37-15 in Durban … Read more
Coach Michael Cheika has raised eyebrows by claiming the Wallabies can upset the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup series following their shaky win over Italy. Australia, coming off a home loss to Scotland the previous week, made six changes as they scrambled to a 40-27 win over the Six Nations strugglers in Brisbane on … Read more
Australia scored two late tries as they survived a fightback from Italy to win 40-27 on Saturday and avoid a second straight defeat. The Wallabies were 21-13 ahead at half-time and then increased their lead to 28-13, before Italy scored two converted tries to get within a point at 28-27. But Bernard Foley and Reece … Read more
A rare try from record-breaking hooker Ross Ford was not enough for Scotland to overhaul Fiji in a thrilling one-off Test in Suva Saturday. Fiji edged a 27-22 victory, despite Scotland scoring three tries to two, with five penalties for the hosts’ fly-half Ben Volavola proving decisive. Ford played his 110th Test for Scotland, overtaking … Read more
EU countries have fallen far short of their duty to an African economic development fund designed to help discourage mass migration to Europe, Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker charged Friday. Juncker reprimanded EU member states at a summit in Brussels for having pledged only 200 million euros of the 1.8 billion euros ($2 billion) they are … Read more
Coach Allister Coetzee, defence specialist Brendan Venter and skipper Warren Whiteley and his Golden Lions have been key factors in the resurgence of South Africa this year. Should they beat France at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg Saturday, the Springboks will complete a 3-0 series whitewash eight months after being jeered by supporters. The anger … Read more
Ghanaian Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has been named one of the artistes to perform at the 2017 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Experience Main Stage. He will perform on Sunday, June 25 at 3:30pm. The BET Experience is a three day takeover of L. A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles during the BET Awards weekend. Organizers call … Read more