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Fallen Afghan government’s UN envoy leaves post

United Nations, United States, Dec 17 (AFP/APP):The Afghan ambassador appointed by the country’s overthrown government has left his post at the United Nations, the UN said. Ghulam Isaczai “relinquished his position as of December 15,” according to a letter received Thursday, assistant UN spokesman Farhan […]

Last of 27 migrants drowned in Channel identified

Paris, Dec 16 (AFP/APP):All 27 migrants who drowned when their boat sank in the Channel last month while trying to reach Britain have now been identified, the Paris prosecutors office announced on Thursday. The final identification made was of a 29-year-old Vietnamese man, the Paris […]

EU lawmakers urge Russia sanctions over Memorial crackdown

Strasbourg, France, Dec 16 (AFP/APP):The European Parliament on Thursday urged the EU to sanction Russian officials behind a legal onslaught against the country’s most prominent rights group Memorial that could see it dissolved. Russia’s Supreme Court is currently weighing a case against the group — […]

Malaysian ex-PM Mahathir admitted to hospital

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 16 (AFP/APP):Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, 96, was admitted to hospital Thursday and will undergo a full medical check-up, the medical facility said. The National Heart Institute said Mahathir arrived at 7:00 pm (1100 GMT) and is expected to stay there […]

Australia nuclear sub deal in line with non-proliferation treaty: US official

Geneva, Dec 16 (AFP/APP):Australia’s programme to equip its navy with nuclear-powered submarines does not fall foul of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), a senior US official insisted on Thursday. The new defence alliance that Australia officially entered into with Britain and […]

Biden heads to tornado-struck Kentucky to pledge support

Mayfield, United States, Dec 15 (AFP/APP):US President Joe Biden headed Wednesday for Kentucky to pledge support and meet survivors after devastating tornadoes destroyed towns and took scores of lives. Biden is due to visit Mayfield and Dawson Springs in the southeastern state — two towns […]

Queen Elizabeth II holds in-person meeting with Oman’s sultan

London, Dec 15 (AFP/APP):Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday made a rare public appearance, hosting Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tareq and his wife, Sayyida Ahad bint Abdullah, at Windsor Castle. The 95-year-old monarch has cut back on her engagements since an overnight hospital stay in October […]

Russia detains coal tycoon over deadly Siberia mine blast

Moscow, Dec 15 (AFP/APP):Russia on Wednesday detained coal tycoon Mikhail Fedyayev over regulatory failings at a mine where a blast last month left 51 people dead in an incident that drew ire from President Vladimir Putin. The Investigative Committee, which is responsible for probing serious […]

Denmark to rent 300 prison cells from Kosovo

Copenhagen, Dec 15 (AFP/APP): Denmark plans to rent from Kosovo prison cells for 300 inmates due to be expelled at the end of their sentences, the Danish government said Wednesday. The project, which seeks to ease prison overcrowding, will also see Denmark’s prison estate expanded […]

Macron in campaign mode as election looms

Paris, Dec 15 (AFP/APP):French President Emmanuel Macron is yet to declare he will run for a second term in next year’s election, but his intentions are no longer in doubt and his unofficial campaigning is drawing fire. After a rare two-hour press conference last week […]

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