Washington, United States | AFP | Explosive allegations that US President Donald Trump concealed conversations with Russia have thrown an unwelcome spotlight on interpreters, whose quick wit is vital to diplomacy and who stay scrupulously in the shadows. Interpreters, whether they are working at high-stakes international summits or in low-level …
Read More »Gabon president Bongo leaves Morocco to fly home
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | Gabon’s ailing President Ali Bongo left Morocco on Monday to fly home days after security forces there foiled an attempted coup, a source close to the leader said. “Doctors have judged that the journey does not present any danger for his health,” the source said, …
Read More »China’s Xi hopes US, N. Korea will ‘meet halfway’
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping offered North Korean leader Kim Jong Un firm backing in deadlocked nuclear talks with the United States, insisting the two sides should meet “halfway”, state media said Thursday. Kim visited Beijing by train this week for two days of discussions that …
Read More »S.Africa, Zambia call for speedy finalisation of DR Congo vote result
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu on Wednesday called on electoral officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo to quickly wrap up the vote collation and release the presidential election results. The two leaders held emergency talks in Pretoria …
Read More »Pope says nationalist leaders undermine global diplomacy
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Nationalist leaders are weakening the world’s system of multilateral diplomacy, Pope Francis warned on Monday in his annual address to ambassadors to the Holy See. The pope decried “the resurgence of nationalistic tendencies at odds with the vocation of international organisations to be …
Read More »Ethiopia, Eritrea reopen another border crossing
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki on Monday reopened a border crossing between their countries as part of an ongoing reconciliation between the former foes. The two leaders re-opened the border crossing between Humera in Ethiopia and Oum Hajer in …
Read More »South Africa pushes UN to postpone DR Congo meeting
United Nations, United States | AFP | The UN Security Council has postponed a key meeting on the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, at South Africa’s request, after an announcement on the results was delayed, diplomats said. The council was due to hold a public meeting Tuesday which …
Read More »Trump says US, N.Korea ‘negotiating’ on location for next Kim summit
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump said Sunday negotiations are underway on the location of his next summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, while remaining evasive on its timing. Trump, who held a historic summit with Kim in Singapore in June, said earlier in …
Read More »EU calls for DR Congo vote results to reflect people’s will
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The European Union called Friday for voting results in the Democratic Republic of Congo to reflect the people’s will at what it called a “historic moment toward a democratic transition.” Elections held last Sunday will determine who succeeds President Joseph Kabila, at the helm of …
Read More »13 Canadians held in China since arrest of Huawei executive: official
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Thirteen Canadians have been detained in China following the arrest on December 1 of a senior executive from Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei, Ottawa said Thursday, with eight subsequently released. Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Guillaume Berube confirmed the detentions to AFP, adding the figures excluded …
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