Paris, France | AFP | A factfile on the deadly Ebola virus, a new outbreak of which has killed 17 people in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the DRC government and World Health Organization (WHO). – What it is – Ebola — formally known as Ebola virus disease, or …
Read More »EU ‘determined to preserve’ Iran nuclear deal: Mogherini
Rome, Italy | AFP | The EU is “determined to preserve” the Iran nuclear deal despite the US withdrawal, the bloc’s diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said Tuesday, pledging to “stay true” if Tehran stuck to its commitments. The 2015 accord “is delivering on its goal which is guaranteeing that Iran …
Read More »Trump announces US withdrawal from ‘defective’ Iran deal
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the US withdrawal from the “defective” multinational nuclear deal with Iran, as Washington moved to reinstate punishing sanctions against the Islamic republic. “The Iran deal is defective at its core,” Trump said in a televised address from the …
Read More »Rouhani: Trump decision on Iran is ‘psychological warfare’
Tehran, Iran | AFP | US President Donald Trump’s decision on Tuesday to pull out of the nuclear deal is an act of “psychological warfare” against Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said. Speaking on state television, Rouhani said he wished to discuss Trump’s decision with the European, Russian and Chinese parties …
Read More »Brazil’s first lady mocked after jumping in lake to rescue dog
Brasília, Brazil | AFP | Brazil’s first lady Marcela Temer leapt fully clothed into a lake at the presidential palace to rescue her pet dog — then got roasted on social media. The 34-year-old former beauty queen jumped into the lake after her Jack Russell named Picoly went after some …
Read More »Former top Chinese Communist official jailed for life for bribery
Beijing, China | AFP | A former Chinese Communist Party official who was once tipped as a potential successor to President Xi Jinping was sentenced to life in prison for bribery on Tuesday, the latest senior cadre to fall in Xi’s sweeping anti-corruption crusade. Sun Zhengcai, a former Politburo member …
Read More »Putin sworn in for fourth term as Russian president
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia’s president for a fourth term on Monday, extending his almost two-decade rule by another six years at a time of high tension with his Western rivals. The 65-year-old, in power since 1999, is on course to become the …
Read More »Should I stay or go? Birds migrate to save energy: study
Paris, France | AFP | Why have some birds opted for a taxing life of constant migration — seeking out temperate climes to feed as winter arrives, only to return months later to breed? Seemingly paradoxically, the behaviour is driven by a quest for energy efficiency, a study said Monday. …
Read More »Iran: what can Trump do, and with what consequences?
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the nuclear deal with Iran. But he has a range of options at his disposal as he makes his decision this week on whether to scrap the 2015 accord to curb Iran’s nuclear program in return …
Read More »Egypt arrests blogger known for YouTube videos
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | An Egyptian blogger famed for his satirical videos on YouTube and Facebook has been arrested, his family said on Monday. Shadi Abuzeid was detained at home on Sunday, his sister Rula told AFP. “Lawyers told us that Shadi was currently held by the state security …
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