China imposes retaliatory sanctions on two Americans over Tibet rights row

China has sanctioned two Americans in retaliation for U.S. sanctions against two Chinese officials over human rights in Tibet earlier this month, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday. Anti-sanctions measures against historian Miles Yu and Todd Stein, deputy staff director with the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, will take effect from Friday, according to… Read More China imposes retaliatory sanctions on two Americans over Tibet rights row

Pope Francis urges Israeli, Palestinian authorities to dialogue following recent violence surge

Pope Francis on Sunday urged Israeli and Palestinian authorities to make greater efforts to seek dialogue following recent deadly bomb attacks in Jerusalem and clashes in the occupied West Bank. Speaking to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday blessing, Francis said violence was “killing the future” for both. Two… Read More Pope Francis urges Israeli, Palestinian authorities to dialogue following recent violence surge

U.S. annouces plans to scrap development of sea-launched nuclear missiles

The United States will stop developing nuclear-armed sea launched cruise missiles, Pentagon documents released on Thursday said, despite senior military officials publicly recommending keeping it. The decision to cancel the submarine-launched cruise missile could help President Joe Biden address calls from fellow Democrats to scale back America’s nuclear arsenal without sacrificing major components of its… Read More U.S. annouces plans to scrap development of sea-launched nuclear missiles

Nigerian military secures release of last hostages from March train attack

Nigeria’s military has secured the release of the remaining 23 hostages from a train attack by gunmen in northern Kaduna state in March, which saw dozens kidnapped and six others killed, a defence official said on Wednesday. The government blamed the attack on Islamist insurgency Boko Haram. The attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train led to… Read More Nigerian military secures release of last hostages from March train attack

Russian patrol detains director-general of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Ihor Murashov

A Russian patrol has detained the director general of Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the state-owned company in charge of the plant said on Saturday, and the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Russia had confirmed the move. Ihor Murashov was detained on his way from the nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, to the town of Enerhodar… Read More Russian patrol detains director-general of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Ihor Murashov

Dozens detained in anti-mobilisation protests across Russia

More than 109 people were detained across Russia at protests against mobilisation on Wednesday, a rights group said, hours after President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s first military draft since World War Two. The independent OVD-Info protest monitoring group said it was aware of detentions in at least 15 different cities. Unsanctioned rallies are illegal under… Read More Dozens detained in anti-mobilisation protests across Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi

French President Emmanuel Macron held face-to-face talks with his Iranian counterpart President Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday with the French leader saying he hoped to be able to “discuss all subjects”. The meeting is Raisi’s first head-to-head with a major Western leader since he was elected last year. It comes amid a complete stalemate to revive… Read More French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi

Burundi swears in Gervais Ndirakobuca as new prime minister

Burundi’s parliament on Wednesday swore in a new prime minister a week after President Evariste Ndayishimiye warned that some unnamed people were plotting to overthrow his government. In a tweet parliament said it had unanimously voted to approve Gervais Ndirakobuca, previously minister for security and internal affairs, following his nomination by Ndayishimiye. Ndirakobuca, who replaces… Read More Burundi swears in Gervais Ndirakobuca as new prime minister