Israeli ministers have decided to stop the use of metal detectors at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site, a statement said early Tuesday, after the new security measures set off deadly unrest. The security cabinet accepted “the recommendation of all the security bodies to change the inspection with metal detectors to a security inspection based … Read more
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was a no-show Monday at a televised debate ahead of August 8 elections, leaving his main rival Raila Odinga alone to field questions. Both candidates had initially pulled out of the final debate, but after a change in format Odinga agreed to take part and the moderators were left in suspense … Read more
A high-level UN delegation arrived in Yemen on Monday, a UN source said, to visit areas held by both the government and Huthi rebels across the crisis-hit country. The executive directors of the World Health Organization, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme visited the southern province of Aden, where the government … Read more
Japan Monday marked three years before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with celebrations and fanfare — even as organisers struggle to contain soaring costs and restore credibility. Japanese celebrities and athletes dressed in bright kimonos gathered for the launch of a remake of a popular 1964 Tokyo Olympics song, as organisers promised to turn the 2020 … Read more
Polish President Andrzej Duda has announced he is vetoing a controversial law to replace Supreme Court judges with government nominees. Three key judicial reforms have been passed by Poland’s parliament, prompting days of demonstrations across the country. Before they become law, they require approval by the president. The changes have also set Poland’s right-wing government … Read more
Jordan said Monday it was looking to question an Israeli security guard who killed two Jordanians at the Amman embassy compound, as Israel insisted he had diplomatic immunity. A Jordanian government source said Israel was “still examining the request” to quiz the guard involved in Sunday’s incident at an annex building in the Israeli embassy … Read more
India’s women’s team was hailed at home for their gritty showing at Lord’s after just missing out on making history in narrowly losing to England in the World Cup final. Millions of cricket-crazy Indians watching the match on big screens across the country were left heartbroken as their team fell short of their 229-run target … Read more
The UN accused Australia Monday of backtracking on a deal to relax its strong stance on asylum-seekers and resettle some refugees now held in overseas detention on home soil. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it had agreed last November to help relocate the boatpeople to the United States on the basis that … Read more
Libya’s UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj will hold talks near Paris on Tuesday with Khalifa Haftar, the powerful military commander based in the country’s east, the French presidency said. French President Emmanuel Macron will host the meeting, the presidency said in a statement on Monday. “France intends, through this initiative, to facilitate a political agreement” … Read more
A top aide to US President Donald Trump was due in Israel Monday in a bid to ease tensions over new security measures at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site after a weekend of deadly violence. Jason Greenblatt’s visit comes after more than a week of tensions over the Haram al-Sharif mosque compound, known to … Read more
East Timor is set for another coalition after the two governing parties in Asia’s youngest democracy clinched a majority of the votes in a trouble-free contest praised Monday as “remarkable” by observers. The poll came at a tough time for the tiny, impoverished country, with key oil reserves running dry while the government struggles to … Read more
Britain’s gaffe-prone Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson likened a traditional Maori greeting to a headbutt Monday while visiting indigenous leaders in New Zealand. Johnson opened his two-day trip with a visit to a marae, or Maori meeting house, in Kaikoura, the South Island town that was hit by a massive earthquake last year. While there he … Read more
The heads of the opposing sides in Libya’s crisis are planning to meet in Paris on Tuesday for talks to find a way out of the impasse, according to reports. Khalifa Haftar, who controls the east of the oil-rich country, and the head of the UN-backed government Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj are expected to hold … Read more
Two years on from sleeping rough in Budapest on a perilous trek from Syria to Germany, teenage refugee Yusra Mardini is back in the Hungarian capital competing in the world swimming championships. “I promised myself I’d come back to Budapest another way,” the 19-year-old told reporters Sunday after finishing her 100m butterfly heat. Now based … Read more
Eight people have been killed in a weekend of violence following new Israeli security measures at an ultra-sensitive Jerusalem holy site. Here is a timeline of events related to the crisis: On July 14, three Arab Israelis armed with automatic rifles and a knife exit Jerusalem’s Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple … Read more
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced mounting pressure Sunday over new security measures at a sensitive Jerusalem holy site after a weekend of violence left eight people dead, with fears more unrest could follow. Israeli officials signalled they may be open to changing the measures at the Haram al-Sharif mosque compound, known to Jews as … Read more
Stabbings and clashes that left six people dead raised fears on Saturday of further Israeli-Palestinian violence as tensions mount over new security measures at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site. Friday’s violence — a stabbing attack that killed three Israelis and clashes which left three Palestinians dead — was among the most severe in recent … Read more
East Timor headed to the polls to elect a new parliament Saturday as Asia’s youngest democracy battles economic challenges 15 years after gaining its independence from Indonesia. About 760,000 people are expected to cast their votes for candidates from 21 parties in the tiny half-island nation, in the first parliamentary election since the departure of … Read more
US President Donald Trump will meet Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Washington next week for talks on issues including refugees and combatting terrorism, the White House announced Friday. Analysts also anticipate US aid will be high on the agenda of the July 25th talks at the White House, which has made clear its intent … Read more
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer abruptly resigned on Friday after a tumultuous six months in the spotlight. Here are five memorable moments from Spicer’s tenure — one of the shortest ever for a White House spokesman: Spicer’s stint as White House spokesman got off to a rocky start. Just a day into Trump’s presidency, … Read more