World

Uruguay’s ex-president Jose Mujica, who at 89 is an icon for leftists across Latin America, hailed the return of the left to power in his country’s weekend elections as a “farewell gift.”The ailing former guerrilla fighter — dubbed the world’s “poorest president” due to his humble lifestyle while in power — campaigned for president-elect Yamandu …

Iconic Uruguayan ex-leader hails country’s swing left as ‘farewell gift’ Read More »

Thousands of Georgians rallied for a second day running on Friday after police arrested dozens in a violent overnight crackdown on protests against the government’s decision to delay EU membership talks.The Black Sea nation has been rocked by turmoil since the ruling Georgian Dream party declared victory in October parliamentary elections that the pro-EU opposition …

Thousands rally in Georgia after violent police crackdown on pro-EU protesters Read More »

Iran, Britain, France and Germany agreed to continue diplomatic talks following a discreet meeting Friday touching on Tehran’s nuclear programme, amid surging tensions even before Donald Trump’s return to the White House.Following the talks in Geneva, shrouded in an unusual level of secrecy, the parties each took to social media to say the discussions had …

Iran, Europeans to keep talking as tensions ratchet up Read More »

Namibians seized their second chance to vote Friday after elections were extended following logistic and technical failings that prevented many from casting their ballots two days ago, angering opposition parties aiming to loosen the ruling SWAPO party’s 34-year grip on power.Long delays at polling stations Wednesday left many of the 1.5 million registered voters queueing …

Namibia reopens polls after election chaos in ruling party test Read More »

Police in Georgia arrested dozens of people overnight and early Friday in a violent crackdown on protests against the government’s decision to delay EU membership talks.The Black Sea nation has been rocked by turmoil since the ruling party declared victory in October parliamentary elections that the pro-EU opposition decried as falsified.On Thursday night and Friday …

Georgia police arrest dozens in clashes with pro-EU protesters Read More »

Supporters and opponents of Britain’s assisted dying bill descended on the UK’s Westminster parliament on Friday as lawmakers prepared to vote on the issue.Around 100 demonstrators wearing pink T-shirts and hats gathered in Parliament Square holding placards reading “Give me choice over my death”, “My life my death my choice” and “Dying people need choice”.A …

Assisted dying campaigners, opponents rally at UK parliament Read More »

Jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies shelled Syria’s second city Aleppo on Friday, in a major offensive against government troops that has sparked some of the deadliest fighting the country has seen in years.The violence has killed 255 people, according to a Syrian war monitor, most of them combatants on both sides but also including civilians. …

Syria jihadists, allies shell major city Aleppo in shock offensive Read More »

Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun on Friday fulfilled a promise he made after spending $6.2 million on an artwork featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall — by eating the fruit.At one of Hong Kong’s priciest hotels, Sun chomped down on a banana in front of dozens of journalists and influencers after giving a speech hailing …

Crypto boss eats banana art he bought for $6.2 million Read More »

A crackdown on Pakistan’s main opposition party that has seen dozens of leaders and lawmakers detained or driven into hiding has sent fear coursing through the movement founded by ex-PM and cricket star Imran Khan.”It’s not easy to be a politician in Pakistan,” says Maryam, the wife of an MP from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) …

Arrests, intimidation stoke fear in Pakistan’s politics Read More »

Diplomats warned Friday of a looming showdown in negotiations to reach the world’s first deal to curb plastic pollution, after a new draft text emerged littered with competing visions and ongoing disagreements.With just two days of talks left, countries seeking an ambitious treaty urged delegations that “have not moved a centimetre” to make compromises or …

Showdown looms on plastic treaty days before deadline Read More »