Damascus, Syria | AFP | Sudan’s President Omar al-Bachir visited Damascus on Sunday, the Syrian presidency said, in his first such visit to the war-torn country since the start of the conflict. “President Omar Hassan al-Bashir… arrived this afternoon on a visit to the Syrian Arab Republic,” the presidency said. …
Read More »Ottawa’s envoy in China meets with second detained Canadian
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Ottawa’s ambassador to Beijing has met with the second Canadian detained in China on suspicion of threatening national security, Canada’s foreign ministry said Sunday. The ministry said Ambassador John McCallum had met with Michael Spavor, a business consultant, two days after meeting with another detained …
Read More »US calls for ‘immediate’ dialogue over Cameroon conflict
United Nations, United States | AFP | The United States on Thursday called for “immediate and broad-based reconciliatory dialogue” in between Cameroon’s government and separatists, urging talks “without pre-conditions.” “We urge all sides to forswear violence, to restore peace, and to resolve their grievances through political dialogue,” said Jonathan Cohen, …
Read More »VIDEO: US lashes out at ‘predatory’ China, Russia in Africa
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States lashed out Thursday at “predatory” Chinese and Russian involvement in Africa as it announced a leaner footprint on the continent that insists on accountability in trade and peacekeeping. In a speech billed as unveiling a new US strategy on Africa, national …
Read More »US seeks end to UN Africa missions not bringing ‘lasting peace’
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States will seek an end to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa that do not bring long-term peace, national security advisor John Bolton said Thursday. “We will only back effective and efficient operations, and we will seek to streamline, reconfigure or terminate missions …
Read More »US Senate advances vote on ending military support for Saudis in Yemen
Washington, United States | AFP | The US Senate sent a fresh warning to President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia Wednesday by greenlighting a vote that could end US military support for Riyadh’s war in Yemen. Anger at the human cost of the war, as well as outrage over the …
Read More »Huawei executive gets bail in case rattling China ties
Vancouver, Canada | AFP | A Canadian court has granted bail to a top Chinese telecom company executive wanted in the United States, as diplomatic tensions turned to the detention of a former Canadian diplomat in Beijing. Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei, was released on Can$10 million …
Read More »May tours Europe in desperate bid to save Brexit deal
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May was met with sympathy but firm refusals on a desperate tour of European capitals on Tuesday, with EU leaders ruling out any renegotiation of the Brexit deal. A day after she postponed a crucial vote on the deal in …
Read More »Canadian former diplomat detained in China amid tensions
Washington, United States | AFP | A Canadian former diplomat has been detained in China, the think tank where he now works said Tuesday, amid Beijing’s outrage over the arrest of a senior technology executive. The International Crisis Group said it was aware of reports of the detention of Michael …
Read More »US bars entry of ousted Gambian dictator Jammeh
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States said Monday it would forbid entry into the country of former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh and his family over corruption during his 22-year rule. Under a US law that bans foreign officials involved in “significant” corruption or human rights abuses, the …
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