World

The European Union on Monday welcomed the re-election of Moldova’s pro-European President Maia Sandu, who the pro-Russian Socialists promptly slammed as “illegitimate” after a tense vote that has laid bare divisions in the former Soviet republic bordering war-torn Ukraine.Sunday’s key vote was overshadowed by allegations of Russian meddling and took place just two weeks after a …

EU hails re-election of pro-EU Maia Sandu in tense Moldova vote Read More »

The family of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German citizen who the Iranian judiciary said was executed in Iran last week, need proof that he was indeed put to death and are open to all possibilities over his fate, his daughter said.Sharmahd, who was born in Iran but became a German citizen and was a permanent resident …

Family need ‘proof’ over fate of German Iran said executed: daughter Read More »

The outcome of Tuesday’s knife-edge US election is unlikely to have much of an impact on the tepid ties between Washington and Ankara, although presidential chemistry might help, experts say. Long gone is the closeness of the 1990s when the United States and Turkey saw each other as indispensable allies. Following an extended period of soul searching …

US vote unlikely to revitalise Turkey ties Read More »

People smuggling should be put on a par with global terrorism, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday, as he pushed for closer international cooperation to tackle the issue.The Labour party leader, a former chief state prosecutor in England and Wales, has vowed to “smash the gangs” behind the trade, amid concern at the …

World needs to ‘wake up’ to people smuggling threat: UK’s Starmer Read More »

Lebanese farmer Abu Taleb briefly returned to his orchard last month to salvage an avocado harvest but ran away empty handed as soon as Israeli air raids began.”The war broke out just before the first harvest season,” said Abu Taleb, displaced from the village of Tayr Debba near the southern city Tyre.”When I went back …

‘War ruined me’: Lebanon’s farmers mourn lost season Read More »

Turkey on Monday sacked three mayors in the Kurdish-majority southeast on alleged “terrorism” charges, despite Ankara’s apparent desire to seek a rapprochement with the Kurdish community. In a sweep, the mayors of the southeastern cities of Mardin and Batman as well as Halfeti — a district in the Sanliurfa province — were removed from their positions …

Turkey sacks 3 pro-Kurdish party mayors over alleged ‘terror’ ties Read More »

Sudan’s army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, at war with paramilitaries, has announced a cabinet reshuffle that replaces four ministers including those for foreign affairs and the media.The late Sunday announcement comes with the northeast African country gripped by the world’s worst displacement crisis, threatened by famine and desperate for aid, according to the UN.In a …

Sudan’s ruling council reshuffles cabinet amid brutal conflict Read More »

World leaders kick off UN climate talks next week, days after a knife edge US election that could send shockwaves through global efforts to limit dangerous warming.The stakes are high for the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan where nations must agree a new target to fund climate action across huge swathes of the world.It comes in …

Nations gather for crunch climate talks in shadow of US vote Read More »

A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted overnight, killing at least 10 people as it spewed fireballs and ash on surrounding villages, officials said Monday as they raised the alert to its highest level.Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-metre (5,587-feet) twin volcano located on the popular tourist island of Flores, erupted shortly before midnight, forcing authorities to …

Indonesia volcano eruption kills 10, sets houses aflame Read More »

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will travel to key ally China this week, both countries said Monday, in his first known trip there since seizing power in a 2021 coup.China is a major ally and arms supplier of the junta and analysts say Beijing also maintains ties with Myanmar ethnic armed groups which hold …

Myanmar junta chief to visit China for first time since coup Read More »