by Hashem Osseiran and Bachir El-Khoury Agence France-Presse BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — Lebanon is facing its worst economic crisis since its civil war, an unprecedented protest movement and mounting international pressure for reform, yet under-fire politicians have yet to form a government. This raises questions about what is holding up the creation of a new cabinet and what comes next for a crumbling country that can ill-afford delays. – What’s the holdup? – Lebanon has […]
Tag: politics
Mexican troops repel border-storming migrant caravan
by Gabriela COUTINO / with Henry MORALES in Tecun Uman, Guatemala Agence France-Presse Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico (AFP) — Hundreds of Central Americans from a new migrant caravan tried to storm into Mexico Monday by fording the river that divides the country from Guatemala, but National Guardsmen fired tear gas to force them back. The Central Americans, from the so-called “2020 Caravan” of around 3,500 undocumented migrants, gathered on the Guatemalan side of the Suchiate River […]
Trump brief assails impeachment, demands immediate acquittal
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump’s lawyers submitted a trial brief Monday calling his impeachment by the House “a dangerous perversion” of the US constitution and demanding his immediate acquittal by the Senate. Almost simultaneously, House impeachment managers responded to an earlier Trump filing, saying the president had engaged in “corrupt conduct… to cheat in the next election” and that the Senate should remove him from office “following a fair trial.” The dueling […]
Trump lawyers present defense for ‘dangerous’ impeachment
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump’s legal team presented Saturday its line of defense for his upcoming impeachment trial, a process they dismissed as unconstitutional and “dangerous.” It was the first time the team presented its arguments, modeled on those put forward since December by Trump and his fellow Republicans. White House counsel Pat Cipollone will be lead lawyer, backed by Trump’s personal attorney Jay Sekulow. They will be joined by Ken […]
US Senate prepares to set Trump trial in motion
by Paul HANDLEY Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Articles of impeachment charging President Donald Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress will be formally read to the Senate Thursday, setting in motion a historic trial that threatens the US leader with removal from office. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will then be sworn in to preside over the trial and senators sworn in as jurors, as preparations get […]
Treason trial opens for Cambodia opposition leader
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AFP) — Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha stood trial for treason Wednesday, more than two years after his arrest in a highly anticipated case decried by his family as a “farce” and described by the US as politically motivated. The 66-year-old co-founded the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party — once considered the sole viable opponent to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) led by strongman premier Hun Sen. But Kem Sokha was […]
Oman Sultan Qaboos, longest reigning leader of modern Arab world, has died: state media
MUSCAT, Oman (AFP) — Sultan Qaboos, the longest-reigning leader of the modern Arab world, has died at the age of 79, the royal court said Saturday. “With great sorrow and deep sadness… the royal court mourns His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who passed away on Friday,” the court said in a statement. Qaboos, who has ruled since 1970 when he deposed his father in a palace coup, had been ill for some time […]
British lawmakers finally approve historic Brexit deal
by Alice RITCHIE and Dmitry ZAKS Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain’s parliament finally approved Brexit on Thursday, allowing it to become the first country to leave the European Union later this month, ending years of arguments that toppled two governments and splintered society. The House of Commons erupted in cheers after MPs ratified Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s divorce deal with Brussels by 330 votes to 231, turning the page on […]
Dozens held after shopping protest at Hong Kong border town
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Protesters hurled petrol bombs Sunday at a Hong Kong police station and at least 60 people were arrested following a march against so-called parallel trading near the Chinese border. The Democratic Party said about 10,000 people marched peacefully in Sheung Shui district, but violence erupted after police ordered protesters to disperse. Earlier, several petrol bombs were thrown at the Sheung Shui police station, about 1.5 kilometres (a mile) from […]
8 killed in rocket attack on Baghdad airport: Iraqi security sources
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — At least eight people were killed in a rocket attack on Baghdad airport, Iraqi security sources said Friday, days after a pro-Iran mob laid siege to the American embassy. “Three rockets hit the international airport in Baghdad,” said a statement from the Iraqi military, adding that two cars exploded. At least eight people died, added a security official who asked to remain anonymous. © Agence France-Presse
Morales claims US orchestrated ‘coup’ to tap Bolivia’s lithium
by Liliana Samuel BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — Former Bolivia president Evo Morales told AFP on Tuesday that he was forced from office by a United States-backed coup d’etat aimed at gaining access to the South American country’s vast lithium resources. Demand for lithium is expected to grow globally as it is one of the key components in batteries used in high-tech equipment such as laptops and electric cars. Morales resigned as president on […]
Thousands protest in Iraq as deadline for new PM looms
DIWANIYAH, Iraq (AFP) — Thousands of protesters blocked roads and public buildings in southern Iraq Sunday, as the latest deadline for choosing a new prime minister loomed. Anti-government rallies have rocked Baghdad and the Shiite-majority south since October 1, with demonstrators calling for a complete overhaul of a regime they deem corrupt and inefficient. “The revolution continues!” shouted one demonstrator at a protest encampment in central Diwaniyah. Protesters blocked off public buildings one by […]





