President Michel Aoun Tuesday received an official invitation to attend the Arab Summit to be held in Saudi Arabia later this month. Aoun was handed the invitation, extended by Saudi King Salman, during a meeting at Baabda Palace with Saudi Minister Plenipotentiary Charges d’Affaires in Lebanon Walid Bukhari. The Arab ... Read More »
After almost 70 years, is China and Vatican rift set to heal?
When millions of Chinese Catholics celebrate Easter this weekend, the future relationship between China and the Vatican is likely to be weighing heavily on their minds. After decades of bitter disagreement, Beijing and the Holy See appear to be on the cusp of a historic accord to resolve one of ... Read More »
Trump and European leaders expel more than 100 Russian diplomats in response to spy poisoning
‘The United States takes this action in conjunction with our Nato allies’ More than 100 Russian diplomats have been hit by a wave of expulsions across Europe and North America in response to the poisoning of a former spy in Salisbury. The Trump administration was among 24 Western governments to ... Read More »
Egypt election: polls open amid concerns over voter apathy
With Abdel Fatah al-Sisi assured of re-election, the campaign has focused on boosting turnout Egyptians are going to the polls on Monday in an election that is almost certain to result in victory for the president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, after all credible opponents were unable to stand against him, citing ... Read More »
World War 3: China military deploy AIRCRAFT CARRIER to Taiwan after ‘bloody war threat’
CHINA has sent the nations sole aircraft carrier through the narrow Taiwan Strait after President Xi threatened a “bloody” war if anyone tried to “separate” his country at the Chinese Communist Party conference, it has been reported. Speaking at Taiwan’s parliament, Defence Minister Yen Teh-fa said the Liaoning entered the ... Read More »
US-South Korea military drills to resume despite thaw with Pyongyang
SEOUL: The US and South Korea announced Tuesday that their annual joint military drills would go ahead next month, with no significant downsize in scale despite an ongoing diplomatic thaw with North Korea. The large-scale exercises involving tens of thousands of ground troops are a perennial source of tension between ... Read More »
Vladimir Putin secures landslide victory in Russian election
President takes more than 75% of vote according to partial results, extending Putin’s time in office to nearly a quarter of a century Vladimir Putin cruised to victory in Sunday’s presidential elections in a result that was never in question. His fourth term as president will extend until 2024, making ... Read More »
Saudi Crown Prince warns ‘we will follow suit’ if Iran develops nuclear bomb
Mohammad bin Salman reiterates previous comments comparing Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Adolf Hitler over ‘plans to expand’ across the Middle East Saudi Arabia will develop a nuclear bomb if its arch-rival Iran does so, the kingdom’s 32-year-old Crown Prince has said, raising the spectre of nuclear conflict in a ... Read More »
Brazilian border town tires of Venezuelan refugees
Pacaraima (Brazil) – The remote Brazilian town of Pacaraima is used to outsiders — tourists curious about spectacular nearby mountains — but a sea of Venezuelan refugees is pushing locals’ hospitality to breaking point. Before, Pacaraima’s main attraction was its location near Monte Roraima in Venezuela, believed to have inspired ... Read More »
Spy poisoning: How could the UK retaliate against Russia?
UK Prime Minister Theresa May is braced to take “extensive measures” against Russia should it not offer a credible explanation of how an ex-spy and his daughter were poisoned on British soil with a military-grade nerve agent. “Should there be no credible response,” Mrs May told parliament, “we will conclude ... Read More »