Washington, United States | AFP | The United States has never been especially consistent in raising human rights, but President Donald Trump’s administration, with its kid-glove treatment of Saudi Arabia, has sent a message clearer than ever before — allies need not worry about criticism. Since journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared …
Read More »Putin says US bears some responsibility for Khashoggi disappearance
Sochi, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the US bears a “certain responsibility” for the fate of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, adding that there is not enough evidence that Riyadh is behind his disappearance. “As far as I know, the journalist that disappeared lived in …
Read More »Pope ready to visit Pyongyang if invited: S.Korea’s Moon
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis is ready to visit North Korea if its leader Kim Jong Un extends a formal invitation, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Thursday after meeting the pontiff. Moon briefed the pontiff about his visit to Pyongyang in September when Kim …
Read More »King steps in as Riyadh defends itself in Khashoggi case
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP | Saudi King Salman has begun weighing in to try to defuse the growing crisis over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as the kingdom goes on the offensive triggering a fierce online media campaign. In a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Monday, …
Read More »China bemoans ‘confusing’ US signals but holds hope for a Trump-Xi meet
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will “probably” meet at a G20 summit next month, a US official said Sunday, as both sides seek answers for a badly strained relationship that a Chinese official called “very confusing.” “The presidents will probably meet …
Read More »Erdogan, Saudi king discuss case of missing journalist: Turkish presidency
Ankara, Turkey | AFP | Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman on Sunday discussed the case of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their first telephone talks on the controversy, both sides said. Erdogan and Salman discussed “the issue of shedding light on the case of Jamal Khashoggi” …
Read More »Saudi Arabia vows retaliation if punished over missing critic
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP | Saudi Arabia warned Sunday it would retaliate against any sanctions imposed on the oil-rich kingdom over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as the Riyadh stock market plunged on growing investor jitters. From tech tycoons to media giants, a host of Western companies …
Read More »Rwandan minister Mushikiwabo elected Francophonie head
Yerevan, Armenia | AFP | The world organisation of French-speaking nations on Friday elected Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo as its new head despite her country’s shift to English a decade ago and controversy over its rights record. Mushikiwabo was elected in a suspense-free vote on the last day of …
Read More »Ivanka Trump tamps down idea she would be ‘dynamite’ UN envoy
Washington, United States | AFP | Ivanka Trump on Tuesday tamped down the suggestion her father could be poised to tap her as UN envoy, after President Donald Trump said she would make a “dynamite” replacement — were it not for nepotism concerns. “It is an honor to serve in …
Read More »Planned Kim summit narrowed down to ‘three or four’ locations: Trump
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that planning for his next summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is advanced and that “three or four locations” have been short-listed. Trump said at the White House that the meeting would “probably” not be …
Read More »