Stockholm, Sweden | AFP | Honour, debts, and prestige are serving as the pretext for an increasing number of deadly shootings that challenge the ideals of equality and social harmony on which modern Sweden was built. “You strengthen your own gang by eliminating an external threat and you gain prestige,” …
Read More »China and Britain wage war of words over Hong Kong
London, United Kingdom | AFP | London summoned Beijing’s ambassador for a dressing down Wednesday in a rapidly escalating diplomatic feud over protests in Hong Kong as China told Britain to keep its “hands off” the city and “show respect”. The demonstrations sweeping the former British colony have also revived tensions …
Read More »Putin to meet Pope and populist govt during lightning Italy trip
Rome, Italy | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Rome Thursday for a lightning visit including talks with the pope and Italy’s populist government, which has called for an easing of sanctions despite Moscow’s ongoing crisis with the West. Rome’s historic centre is on security lockdown for the visit …
Read More »Embattled Boeing to give $100 mn to 737 MAX crash victims’ families
New York, United States | AFP | Boeing, under scrutiny after two crashes that claimed 346 lives, announced Wednesday it would give $100 million to communities and families affected by the 737 MAX disasters. Describing the sum as an “initial investment” over multiple years, the company said it would work with …
Read More »Trump, producer-president, makes July 4th his own show
Washington, United States | AFP | Tanks in the heart of Washington, fighter jets screaming overhead, and a speech from the Lincoln Memorial: President Donald Trump is promising the “show of a lifetime” as he prepares to turn the Fourth of July into a personal primetime extravaganza. The commander-in-chief and erstwhile …
Read More »Is Greece’s July 7 vote last stand for Tsipras?
Athens, Greece | AFP | Greeks vote on Sunday in a general election that is the first in the country’s post-bailout era, which looks set to oust leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras after a record-setting four years in power. Greece’s first avowed atheist and longest-serving crisis premier, as well as …
Read More »Rivals vying to lead post-bailout Greece
Athens, Greece | AFP | Greece is holding its first post-bailout general elections on Sunday after a campaign focused on middle-class tax complaints, the Macedonia name deal and security. Here are profiles of the two main contenders: – Tsipras: leftist austerity PM – On the back foot after four nearly …
Read More »Five things to know about Greece’s July 7 vote
Athens, Greece | AFP | Greeks head to the polls on Sunday in a snap ballot that could bring an end to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s leftist government. Here are five things to know about the vote, the third in Greece since May following European and local elections. – Greeks …
Read More »Trump move to ease Huawei sanctions sparks anger, confusion
Washington, United States | AFP | The US trade war truce with China which could ease sanctions on Huawei has prompted a backlash from lawmakers over national security concerns amid confusion over how the deal may impact the Chinese tech giant. In the weekend agreement with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping …
Read More »One in, one out: A tale of two Brexit MEPs
Dublin, Ireland | AFP | When the other new members of the European Parliament take their seats in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Barry Andrews will be sitting at home, unable to attend because of Brexit. Basking in the sun in Dublin, the 52-year-old Irish politician is on an unwanted holiday as he …
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