Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the departure of his top diplomat Rex Tillerson, to be succeeded by the current CIA chief Mike Pompeo. A senior US official said the president wanted to reshuffle his team ahead of talks with North Korea. “Mike …
Read More »Tillerson ends Africa trip vowing US backing against terror
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Secretary of State Rex Tillerson brought his truncated maiden Africa trip to a close on Monday, promising the full backing of the United States to two countries on the frontline of the war on terror. Washington’s top diplomat has been on a five-country tour of east …
Read More »Russia says May’s spy statement a ‘provocation’: reports
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Moscow on Monday rejected British Prime Minister Theresa May’s statement to parliament that it was “highly likely” Russia was responsible for the poisoning of a former spy in Britain. The statement was part of an “information and political campaign based on provocation,” said Russian foreign ministry …
Read More »Madagascar summons US envoys over ex-leader’s dairy cows
Antananarivo, Madagascar | AFP | The Madagascar government on Monday summoned the US ambassador after the embassy commented on a court decision that left dairy cows belonging to ex-president Marc Ravalomanana unattended and without food. A court had ordered the closure of AAA, an agribusiness owned by Ravalomanana, over violation of …
Read More »Trump sees ‘tremendous success’ in upcoming N. Korea talks
Moon Township, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump predicted “tremendous success” Saturday in upcoming groundbreaking talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and suggested the reclusive state wants to “make peace” despite a years-long nuclear standoff. The comments came after the American leader said he has received encouragement …
Read More »Macron-Modi love on show as France courts India
New Delhi, India | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron Saturday said he wanted his country to be India’s best partner in Europe as he started a three-day trip to the country aimed at ratcheting up security and energy ties. Macron, who was welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi …
Read More »Feeling unwell, Tillerson cancels Nairobi programme
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is on his first-ever Africa tour as Washington’s top diplomat, on Saturday cancelled his programme in Kenya because he was feeling unwell, officials said. “The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major …
Read More »White House says Xi agrees to keep sanctions pressure on N. Korea
Washington, United States | AFP | The White House on Friday said that Chinese leader Xi Jinping had agreed to keep up sanctions pressure on North Korea, amid fears a diplomatic gambit could lead to backsliding. After a call between Xi and President Donald Trump, the White House said the …
Read More »N.Korea talks invite vindicates isolation strategy: Pence
Washington, United States | AFP | Kim Jong Un’s decision to invite Donald Trump to a historic summit is evidence that the American leader’s efforts to isolate his North Korean counterpart are bearing fruit, US Vice President Mike Pence said Friday. “North Korea’s desire to meet to discuss denuclearization — while …
Read More »‘Dotard’ Trump and Kim ‘Rocket Man’ Jong Un to meet: what happens next?
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | The stunning announcement that US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will hold an unprecedented meeting is the latest and most astonishing step forward in a flurry of diplomacy. The two and their respective allies fought each other to a …
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