Latest World News, International News

Russian pro-Putin party wins majority after crackdown; foes cry foul

Moscow – September 20 (Online): Russia’s ruling United Russia party, which supports President Vladimir Putin, retained its parliamentary majority after an election and a sweeping crackdown on its critics, but opponents alleged widespread fraud. With 85% of ballots counted on Monday, the Central Election Commission […]

N.Korea says US submarine deal, alliance could trigger ‘nuclear arms race’

Seoul, Sept 20 (AFP/APP):North Korea’s foreign ministry on Monday said a new US alliance in the Indo-Pacific and Washington’s recent submarine contract with Australia could trigger a “nuclear arms race” in the region. Last week the US announced a new three-way security pact with Australia […]

Australia says ‘no need to prove’ affection for France

Sydney, Sept 20 (AFP/APP):Australia has already proven its affection for France through the sacrifice of Aussie soldiers during World War I and II, the country’s deputy prime minister claimed Monday, stoking a row over a major submarine contract. Following French fury at Canberra’s decision to […]

Djibouti president, 73, returns home after hospitalisation rumours

Nairobi, Sept 19 (AFP/APP):Djibouti President Ismael Omar Guelleh has returned home to the Horn of Africa country, his office said Sunday, after rumours that the 73-year-old had been hospitalised in Paris. Re-elected for a fifth term in April, Guelleh has ruled Djibouti since 1999 and […]

Morocco Islamist party decries ‘violations’ at polls

Rabat, Sept 19 (AFP/APP):Morocco’s moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which was thrashed at last week’s elections, on Sunday denounced “violations and irregularities” at the polls. The PJD had headed Morocco’s governing coalition for a decade but saw its support collapse at the September […]

Protesters call to ‘kick out’ Thai PM on coup anniversary

Bangkok, Sept 19 (AFP/APP):Hundreds of protesters drove through Bangkok’s streets on Sunday to mark the 15th anniversary of a military coup that ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The billionaire ex-premier — now living in self-exile — has remained a prominent figure in the country’s politics […]

Mali bristles over warnings not to hire Russian ‘mercenaries’

Bamako, Sept 19 (AFP/APP):Mali’s ruling junta on Sunday bristled over warnings by Western and regional leaders not to hire “mercenaries” from private Russian security firm Wagner, saying its partnerships are its business. Former colonial power France last week warned Bamako against such a deal following […]

Last two prison-break fugitives recaptured: Israeli army

Jerusalem, Sept 19 (AFP/APP):The Israeli army has recaptured the last two Palestinian fugitives involved in a spectacular prison break in northern Israel, it announced Sunday. Authorities had already arrested four of the six who managed to escape almost two weeks ago, and in a tweet […]

Putin’s party set to retain parliament majority after polls

Moscow, Sept 19 (AFP/APP):Russian President Vladimir Putin’s party was set Sunday to retain a majority in parliament on the last day of three-day elections in which most Kremlin critics were barred from the ballot. The vote comes in the wake of an unprecedented crackdown on […]

Johannesburg mayor killed in car accident

Johannesburg, Sept 19 (AFP/APP):The mayor of Johannesburg was killed in a car accident as he returned from campaigning with South Africa’s president on Saturday, just over a month after being elected, his office said in a statement. Jolidee Matongo, 46, was returning from a voter […]

World