TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AFP)– Soldiers and police on Monday moved to clear roads across Honduras of demonstrators protesting alleged fraud in a presidential election held two weeks ago, which they said was won by leftist opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla. The action was taken as the country is stuck in a political impasse and amid unrest after President Juan Orlando Hernandez claimed victory in the November 26 poll. Electoral authorities have not yet declared a winner from the election, despite full […]
International
Fifth day of protests in Middle East over Trump’s Jerusalem move
by Mike Smith Agence France-Presse JERUSALEM, Undefined – The Middle East saw a fifth day of protests on Monday over US President Donald Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, while further global condemnation followed the deeply controversial move. While tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met EU foreign ministers in Brussels, declaring that the move he has lauded as historic “makes peace possible.” He also said he expected “all or […]
‘Terror’ bomber strikes NY subway, three hurt
by Catherine TRIOMPHE Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States – A man carrying a pipe bomb strapped to his body detonated it in a crowded New York subway passageway during the morning rush hour Monday, seriously injuring himself but only lightly injuring three others. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called the bombing an “attempted terrorist attack,” and identified the 27-year-old man identified as Akayed Ullah. The blast took place at the height of morning rush hour in […]
US, S. Korea, Japan start missile-tracking drill, irking China
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) – The US, South Korea and Japan carried out joint exercises Monday to track missiles from North Korea, as China warned that such manoeuvres fuel tensions following nuclear-armed Pyongyang’s longest-range test launch to date. The trilateral drill comes less than two weeks after Pyongyang test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and declared it had achieved nuclear statehood, escalating global alarm over its weapons push. The two-day exercise — the sixth since […]
Saudi Arabia lifts ban on cinemas: government
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia on Monday lifted a decades-long ban on cinemas, part of a series of social reforms by the powerful crown prince that are shaking up the ultra-conservative kingdom. “Commercial cinemas will be allowed to operate in the kingdom as of early 2018, for the first time in more than 35 years,” the culture and information ministry said in a statement, adding that the government will begin licensing cinemas immediately. […]
Recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital ‘makes peace possible’: Netanyahu
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that recognising Jerusalem as his country’s capital “makes peace possible”, after widespread international criticism of the US decision to do so. US President Donald Trump’s announcement last week has been followed by days of protests and clashes in the Palestinian territories, as well as demonstrations across the Islamic world. The EU expressed alarm at the decision, which upends seven decades of US policy on […]
IS long gone, but former Iraqi oil hub still dead
by Mahmoud Saleh © Agence France-Presse BAIJI, Iraq (AFP) — A white rocking horse and a child’s toy car lie abandoned on a dusty lane in the Iraqi city of Baiji, a small sign of the ruin that can be seen all around. Two years after the jihadists of Islamic State group were forced from this one-time industrial hub, Baiji remains a devastated ghost city as pledges of funds to help rebuild life have failed to […]
Dubai 2018 budget foresees $15.5 bn expenditure ahead of Expo
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Dubai on Sunday adopted its 2018 budget foreseing expenditure of 56.6 million dirhams (around $15.5 billion), a 19.5 percent increase over last year, as it prepares to host Expo 2020. But the 2018 budget of Dubai, one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, also forecasts a deficit of $1.7 billion — the highest since the 2009 financial crisis, a government statement said. “Dubai’s commitment to Expo excellence, […]
Venezuelan leader says no to opposition in presidential race
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro announced Sunday that leading opposition parties will be barred from taking part in next year’s presidential vote after they boycotted mayoral polls, in a move set to further consolidate his grip on power. That includes the groups of key figures who have led street protests against his rule such as Henrique Capriles, Leopoldo Lopez and others, Maduro told reporters after casting his vote in the municipal polls. “That’s what […]
Qatar signs $8-bn deal to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from UK
by David Harding Agence France Presse DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Qatar signed a multi-billion-dollar deal Sunday to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from Britain, its second major defense agreement this week, which comes during the worst political crisis in the region for years. The $8-billion (6.8-billion-euro) deal was signed in Doha by Qatar’s Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah and his British counterpart, Gavin Williamson. Williamson said it was the biggest order for Typhoons in a […]
Heavy snow causes travel mayhem in northern Europe
by Martine Pauwels Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The heaviest snowfall in four years in Britain caused travel mayhem Sunday, while more than 300 flights were cancelled at Germany’s busiest airport and a ferry ran aground in the French port of Calais. Hundreds of air passengers were stranded in Frankfurt, Germany’s financial capital, as well as Britain, and many took to Twitter to complain. Some 330 flights were cancelled by 5:00 pm […]
Netanyahu faces pressure in Europe amid Jerusalem protests
by Adam Plowright and Valerie Leroux Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a trip to Europe on Sunday facing widespread criticism of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state and pressure to engage in the peace process. In his first meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, he was urged to re-engage with the Palestinians to build goodwill following widespread protests over the […]
