Afghan administration, Mayanmar Junta not allowed into UN for now

KABUL 15 Dec (Online): A decision on whether the Afghan Taliban administration and the Myanmar junta can send a United Nations (UN) ambassador to New York has been postponed for a second time, but could be reconsidered in the next nine months, according to a […]

Legal net tightens on Greek MEP graft suspect

Brussels, Dec 15 (AFP/APP):The legal challenges facing Eva Kaili sharpened Thursday as the Greek MEP, already accused of taking bribes, faced a second investigation and a vote to strip her of parliamentary immunity. Kaili was arrested last week during a series of Belgian police raids […]

Patriot missiles: crucial but limited help for Ukraine

Washington, Dec 15 (AFP/APP):The expected US provision of Patriot missiles to Ukraine is a muscular message of support and will boost defenses against Russia’s relentless aerial assaults, but experts say its battlefield impact will be limited. Patriots are “far from a silver bullet,” against the […]

‘Significant progress’ in talks with Spain on Gibraltar: UK foreign minister

Madrid, Dec 14 (AFP/APP): Britain and Spain have made “significant progress” in talks over an agreement to secure Gibraltar’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in Madrid Wednesday. “Significant progress has been made including (in) discussions on the text […]

Biden seeks principled Africa partnership as US businesses pour in

Washington, Dec 14 (AFP/APP): President Joe Biden called Wednesday for a long-term partnership with Africa rooted both in trade and good governance as US businesses unveiled billions of dollars for the continent. Addressing a summit that brought 49 African leaders to the Washington cold, Biden […]

Amnesty lashes Morocco, Spain over Melilla migrant ‘carnage’

Madrid, Dec 13 (AFP/APP):Amnesty International on Tuesday blasted as “carnage” the deaths of dozens of migrants trying to cross into Spain’s North African enclave Melilla, accusing Rabat and Madrid of seeking to cover up what happened. In the report on the June 24 incident, the […]

US officials in China talk improving ties, Taiwan

Beijing, Dec 12 (AFP/APP):A senior US delegation visiting China discussed ways to improve ties and the issue of Taiwan, Beijing said Monday, as the two sides laid the groundwork for a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The talks — involving top US diplomat […]

Key Ukraine naval base unbowed despite Russian onslaught

Ochakiv, Ukraine, Dec 12 (AFP/APP): After enduring months of shelling by Russian forces, officials in the strategic Ukrainian port of Ochakiv hope it can serve to consolidate Kyiv’s gains in the southern Kherson region. The strategic Ukrainian Black Sea naval base — which lies on […]

Bangladesh opposition mounts huge protest, MPs quit

Dhaka, Dec 10 (AFP/APP): Nearly 100,000 supporters of Bangladesh’s main opposition party descended on Dhaka Saturday to protest against the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and demand new elections. “Sheikh Hasina is a vote thief,” they chanted at the Golapbagh sports ground where the […]