Shanghai, China | AFP | There is a notable no-show among the dozens of national pavilions at Shanghai’s massive import fair — the United States — a metaphor for isolationist Trump policies that attendees say are pushing them closer to China. The China International Import Expo opened Monday with thousands …
Read More »Trump says ‘probably’ no Putin meeting in Paris this week
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump said Monday he does not expect to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when they attend World War I commemorations in Paris at the end of this week. Trump said he was “not sure we’ll have a meeting …
Read More »Iran will ‘proudly bypass’ US sanctions: Rouhani
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic republic “will proudly bypass sanctions” by the United States that took effect on Monday targeting the country’s oil and financial sectors. “I announce that we will proudly bypass your illegal, unjust sanctions because it’s against international regulations,” Rouhani …
Read More »China to continue Iran trade despite new US sanctions
Beijing, China | AFP | China denounced new US sanctions targeting Iran’s oil and financial sectors as “long-arm jurisdiction” on Monday and vowed to continue its bilateral trade with the Islamic republic. The measures, which took effect on Monday, follow US President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon a multi-nation nuclear …
Read More »Alibaba’s Ma calls trade war ‘stupidest thing in the world’
Shanghai, China | AFP | Shanghai, China | AFP | The US-China trade war is the “stupidest thing in the world,” Alibaba e-commerce tycoon Jack Ma declared at an import fair that China opened Monday partly to counter foreign criticism of its trade policies. Ma, who recently took back an …
Read More »Pompeo says he will meet N.Korea number two in New York
Washington, United States | AFP | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday he will meet this week in New York with North Korea’s number two to discuss denuclearization and a possible second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “I expect we’ll …
Read More »Turkey recalls Uganda envoy over ancient Greek costume ‘scandal’
Ankara, Turkey | AFP | The Turkish foreign ministry on Saturday recalled its ambassador to Uganda after she was photographed at a reception for Turkey’s annual Republic Day wearing a dress reportedly inspired by ancient Greece. Ambassador Sedef Yavuzalp hosted the reception in Kampala for the annual October 29 holiday …
Read More »Netanyahu condemns Khashoggi murder but backs stability in Saudi
Varna, Bulgaria | AFP | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday condemned the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in his first comments on the affair, but stressed the need for stability in Saudi Arabia. “What happened in the Istanbul consulate was horrendous and it should be duly dealt …
Read More »Trump tweets himself as star of own Iran sanctions movie
Washington, United States | AFP | “Game of Thrones” fans are primed for the final season, but starring Donald Trump? Well not quite, though the president had a laugh at Iran’s expense Friday by posing in a GoT-style picture. “SANCTIONS ARE COMING,” reads the mock movie poster Trump tweeted Friday, …
Read More »France promises money, guns for C.Africa
Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP | France will give the Central African Republic, its restive former colony, aid of 24 million euros ($27.4 million) and weapons, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced on Friday. “France wishes to continue its historical partnership with the Central African Republic,” the minister told …
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