World

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad on Monday branded an Islamist-led offensive that has captured swathes of territory an attempt to redraw the regional map in line with US interests.His comments in a phonecall with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian came as Syrian and allied Russian warplanes launched deadly raids on rebel-controlled areas.Both Russia and Iran back Assad, …

Syria’s Assad says rebel advance a bid to ‘redraw’ regional map Read More »

Romania’s political future looked uncertain Monday after legislative elections produced a fragmented parliament, with the far right making big gains a week before the second round of a presidential election in which a pro-Russian candidate is in pole position.The ruling pro-European Social Democrats (PSD) were ahead after Sunday’s parliamentary vote with 22 percent with nearly …

Deadlock in Romania as Russia-haunted presidential vote looms Read More »

France’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier faced being deposed by a hostile parliament Monday when his government presents a social security financing plan that has the opposition up in arms.The conservative Barnier, who formed a minority government in September after an inconclusive general election, lives under the constant threat of a no-confidence vote that could force …

French PM at risk in hostile parliament vote Read More »

A blast on a canal vital to Kosovo’s water and power supplies has sparked a war of words with Serbia, with fears it could further escalate tensions between the two Balkan nations.The explosion late Friday punched a hole in a canal providing water to hundreds of thousands of people and the cooling systems at two …

Canal blast sparks new stand-off between Kosovo and Serbia Read More »

Georgia’s president said Monday that pro-EU protests involving tens of thousands of people showed no sign of stopping after police fired water cannon and tear gas on a fourth night of demonstrations.The Black Sea nation has been rocked by turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party claimed victory in October 26 parliamentary elections that the …

Georgia pro-EU protesters ‘standing firm’, president says Read More »

A storm sweeping through Greece has claimed a third victim, state TV reported Monday, after damaging roads and buildings on the islands of Lemnos, Rhodes and other parts of the country.A driver trying to avoid debris in the northern region of Halkidiki fell into a ditch Sunday and died of hypothermia in his vehicle, state …

Third death as Storm Bora batters Greece Read More »

Thousands of Volkswagen workers went on strike Monday in an escalating industrial dispute, with unions warning that the crisis-hit German auto giant is intent on making mass layoffs and closing factories.Waving signs reading “You want war, we are ready!” and the red flags of the powerful IG Metall Union, employees at plants across the country …

Thousands strike at Volkswagen’s Germany plants Read More »

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Monday warned her Chinese counterpart that Beijing’s support for Moscow would impact ties and instead urged China to help end the Ukraine conflict.Speaking in Beijing, she said the over 1,000-day war was impacting the whole world and condemned the battlefield role of North Korean troops and the use of …

German FM urges China to stop backing Russia, work for Ukraine peace Read More »

Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine on Monday to reaffirm German support for Kyiv after becoming the first major ally of the war-torn country to speak to Vladimir Putin in years to urge negotiations.His surprise visit comes as Ukrainian forces are buckling across the eastern front and amid fears about future US support once Donald Trump …

Germany’s Scholz pledges aid on surprise visit to Ukraine Read More »

A coalition of activists in the Philippines lodged an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, accusing her of corruption and misconduct. The complaint adds to Duterte’s legal woes as she faces a probe into her alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos and another inquiry into her use of government funds.Filed by an …

Philippine groups file impeachment bid against VP Duterte Read More »