The outgoing US administration of President Joe Biden urged Ukraine Wednesday to reduce the minimum conscription age to 18 from 25 to tackle a manpower shortage as Russian forces press in.The call for Kyiv to boost its ranks came amid speculation that incoming president Donald Trump will take a new approach that could include pushing …
US tells Ukraine to lower conscription age to 18 Read More »
Mexico’s president discussed migration and drug trafficking with US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday — two issues he had raised as justification for raising import tariffs on America’s southern neighbor.Claudia Sheinbaum said she had had “an excellent conversation” with Trump, just hours after her economy minister warned that the cost to US companies of Trump’s …
Mexico president hails ‘excellent’ Trump talks after US tariff threat Read More »
Tens of thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war between Israel and Hezbollah headed back to their devastated towns and villages Wednesday as a ceasefire took hold.Under the terms of the deal that brought the war to a halt, the Lebanese military started reinforcing its presence in the country’s south, where Hezbollah has long held …
Tens of thousands in Lebanon head home as Israel-Hezbollah truce takes hold Read More »
Logistical issues meant that thousands of Namibians were still waiting to vote in pivotal presidential and legislative elections late on Wednesday as the polling stations were scheduled to close.The vote could usher in the desert nation’s first woman leader even as her party, the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) faces the strongest challenge …
Thousands still queuing to vote after Namibia polls close Read More »
Romanian officials will meet Thursday to discuss possible cyber threats to its elections after a far-right pro-Russian candidate took a shock lead in its presidential vote. Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defence will analyse “possible risks to national security… by state and non-state cyber actors” on the IT and communication infrastructure involved in the electoral process, …
Romania officials to meet over ‘cyber risks’ to elections Read More »
Argentine ex-president Alberto Fernandez appeared in court Wednesday in a case of alleged corruption relating to insurance policies taken out by government departments during his 2019-2023 term.Fernandez, 65, is suspected of fraudulent administration over his government’s use of brokers, one of which had ties to his office, to contract insurance policies that could have been …
Argentine ex-president Fernandez gives statement in corruption case Read More »
Anti-government protesters and security forces clashed across Mozambique Wednesday with police reportedly killing two people and a military vehicle mowing down another at fresh demonstrations against October’s disputed elections.Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has rejected the results of the October 9 vote and led a weeks-long standoff that has been brutally suppressed by police and left …
New clashes in Mozambique as two reported killed Read More »
France does not get to decide whether a free trade deal between the EU and South America’s Mercosur bloc goes ahead — only Brussels does, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday.Lula added firmly: “I intend to sign this agreement this year.”Brazil’s position, stressed by Lula in a speech on Brazilian industry, …
Brussels, not Paris, will decide EU-Mercosur trade deal: Lula Read More »
Ruby slippers worn by actress Judy Garland in classic film “The Wizard of Oz” will be sold at auction next month, nearly 20 years after they were stolen.Heritage Auctions showed off the magical footwear in London before they go under the hammer in Dallas on December 7, with predictions they could sell for up to …
Ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ up for auction Read More »
An explosion in a plastics factory near the southeastern Spanish city of Alicante killed three people and injured seven on Wednesday, emergency services said.A boiler exploded in an industrial estate in the town of Ibi, triggering “a shockwave” that affected the factory and an adjacent firm, said Alberto Martin, director general of the eastern Valencia …
Spain factory explosion kills three, injures seven Read More »
