WORLD

Paris, France | AFP |  Authoritarian governments in the Middle East are increasingly willing to seize researchers and academics, who are seen as valuable bargaining chips in their joustings with Western nations, analysts warn. “The risks now facing researchers in the Middle East are unprecedented,” said Jean-Pierre Filiu, a historian at …

Iowa City, United States | AFP |  Democratic candidates bolt Sunday across Iowa, where no handshake or pit stop is too insignificant one day ahead of the state’s presidential nominating process, which is the first in the nation. Iowa has traditionally served as a vital launching point — or burial ground …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP |  LeBron James vowed Friday that he and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates would continue the legacy of club icon Kobe Bryant, who died Sunday in a helicopter crash. James, his voice fraught with emotion, addressed the Staples Center crowd before the Lakers returned to …

Aboard the Cote des Dunes, English Channel, United Kingdom | AFP |  On a ferry from Calais to Dover, the moment of Britain’s dramatic exit from the European Union arrived without fuss. There were no celebrations among the passengers as the clock struck midnight on one of the last ferries to …

Clinton, United States | AFP | Four US senators running for president paused their impeachment trial duties Friday to dash to Iowa, joining top rivals for a final weekend of campaigning before the state’s all-important vote launches the Democratic Party’s nomination contest. After a Senate vote Friday paved the way for …

  London, United Kingdom | AFP | Even for a maverick politician like Boris Johnson, backing Brexit four years ago was a huge gamble. But it has paid off spectacularly with Britain’s exit Friday from the European Union. The Conservative leader remains a divisive figure, hailed by many for his …

  London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised a “new era of friendly cooperation” with the European Union on Friday as Britain prepared to leave the bloc after almost five decades. In a public address broadcast one hour before Brexit, Johnson acknowledged there may be “bumps …

Orihuela, Spain | AFP |  On the sun-drenched eastern coast of Spain, British retirees, workers and small business owners are braced for an uncertain future after Britain leaves the European Union on Friday. “It is worrying what happens now,” said Karen Watling, 73, who moved to the Orihuela Costa in Alicante …

Washington, United States | AFP | Democrats warned Thursday that acquitting President Donald Trump of abuse-of-power charges in his impeachment trial would amount to the “normalization of lawlessness.” In what could be their last bid to make the case for removing the US leader from office, the House impeachment prosecutors expressed …

Washington, United States | AFP | Iowa votes on February 3 kicking off the crowded race for the Democratic nomination, which then gives way to a hotly contested battle against presidential incumbent Donald Trump. Here are the key steps along the way: – 2019: Debates – Six Democratic debates were …