Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli air strikes in Syria the previous day were a “heavy blow” to Iranian and Syrian forces in the war-torn country. “We inflicted on Saturday a heavy blow to Iranian and Syrian forces,” Netanyahu said at the start …
Read More »Tanzania clamps down on cannabis
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Tanzanian authorities have stepped up an escalating war on cannabis by destroying 14 hectares (35 acres) of the crop in the northern province of Arusha in recent days. Saturday alone saw eight hectares laid waste at the Meru forest reserve following another six acres earlier …
Read More »Oil majors strike it rich on rising crude prices
Paris, France | AFP | The world’s leading oil companies published a bumper crop in profits last year as rising crude prices helped turn their fortunes around, but they remain cautious and are unlikely to rush out on a new spending spree just yet. In a flourish of earnings reports …
Read More »UN rights chief calls on PNG to safeguard Australia camp refugees
Sydney, Australia | AFP | Papua New Guinea is responsible for the human rights of refugees sent to a remote island by Australia, the UN human rights chief has said, as advocates warn the men are living in fear of violence from local residents. Some 600 men were moved out …
Read More »UK’s Johnson meets Myanmar’s Suu Kyi on Rohingya crisis
Naypyidaw, Myanmar | AFP | Britain’s foreign minister Boris Johnson met with Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar’s capital on Sunday to press for action on the Rohingya crisis, as the country faces mounting pressure to punish troops accused of atrocities against the Muslim minority. Johnson spoke with the embattled …
Read More »Iran’s Rouhani calls for ‘year of unity’ after protests
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani called for a “year of unity” as Iran celebrated 39 years since the Islamic revolution Sunday in the wake of protests last month. Rouhani said conservatives should not block reformist candidates from future elections and that there should be greater trust …
Read More »S.Africa’s ANC to meet Monday as Zuma deadlock tightens
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | The top decision-making body of South Africa’s ruling ANC will meet on Monday following days of talks over President Jacob Zuma’s expected departure from office, a party spokeswoman said Sunday. “An NEC (national executive committee) meeting is scheduled for tomorrow in Pretoria,” ANC spokeswoman …
Read More »Ramaphosa to address rally as S.Africa deadlock tightens
Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s president-in-waiting Cyril Ramaphosa will address a major ANC party rally in Cape Town Sunday as the country is gripped by the deadlock over talks to oust scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma from office. With Zuma refusing a party request to resign, the …
Read More »Neymar lifts PSG past Toulouse ahead of Real trip
Paris, France | AFP | Neymar scored the only goal as Paris Saint-Germain ground out a 1-0 victory at Toulouse on Saturday in their final tune-up for next week’s Champions League showdown against holders Real Madrid. The runaway French league leaders stretched their advantage over Marseille to 13 points courtesy …
Read More »Israel will not allow Iran ‘entrenchment’ in Syria: PM
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Saturday not to allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria, after Israel launched air raids on what it said were Iranian targets in its Arab neighbour. “Israel wants peace but we will continue to defend ourselves with determination …
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