LONDON: An investment summit in Paris this week aims to attract billions of dollars worth of low-interest lending to help rebuild Lebanon’s shattered economy. Ministers and investors from around the world will head to the gathering on April 6 that has been organized by French President Emmanuel Macron. The idea ... Read More »
After almost 70 years, is China and Vatican rift set to heal?
When millions of Chinese Catholics celebrate Easter this weekend, the future relationship between China and the Vatican is likely to be weighing heavily on their minds. After decades of bitter disagreement, Beijing and the Holy See appear to be on the cusp of a historic accord to resolve one of ... Read More »
Trump and European leaders expel more than 100 Russian diplomats in response to spy poisoning
‘The United States takes this action in conjunction with our Nato allies’ More than 100 Russian diplomats have been hit by a wave of expulsions across Europe and North America in response to the poisoning of a former spy in Salisbury. The Trump administration was among 24 Western governments to ... Read More »
Egypt election: polls open amid concerns over voter apathy
With Abdel Fatah al-Sisi assured of re-election, the campaign has focused on boosting turnout Egyptians are going to the polls on Monday in an election that is almost certain to result in victory for the president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, after all credible opponents were unable to stand against him, citing ... Read More »
World War 3: China military deploy AIRCRAFT CARRIER to Taiwan after ‘bloody war threat’
CHINA has sent the nations sole aircraft carrier through the narrow Taiwan Strait after President Xi threatened a “bloody” war if anyone tried to “separate” his country at the Chinese Communist Party conference, it has been reported. Speaking at Taiwan’s parliament, Defence Minister Yen Teh-fa said the Liaoning entered the ... Read More »
Climate change could force more than 140 million people from their homes by 2050, major new report finds
Experts warn of ‘looming human crisis’ as millions are driven to migrate within national borders due to water scarcity, sea-level rise and storm surges Millions of people in the developing world will be forced from their homes by climate change in the coming decades, according to a major new report ... Read More »
US-South Korea military drills to resume despite thaw with Pyongyang
SEOUL: The US and South Korea announced Tuesday that their annual joint military drills would go ahead next month, with no significant downsize in scale despite an ongoing diplomatic thaw with North Korea. The large-scale exercises involving tens of thousands of ground troops are a perennial source of tension between ... Read More »
Vladimir Putin secures landslide victory in Russian election
President takes more than 75% of vote according to partial results, extending Putin’s time in office to nearly a quarter of a century Vladimir Putin cruised to victory in Sunday’s presidential elections in a result that was never in question. His fourth term as president will extend until 2024, making ... Read More »
Saudi Crown Prince warns ‘we will follow suit’ if Iran develops nuclear bomb
Mohammad bin Salman reiterates previous comments comparing Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Adolf Hitler over ‘plans to expand’ across the Middle East Saudi Arabia will develop a nuclear bomb if its arch-rival Iran does so, the kingdom’s 32-year-old Crown Prince has said, raising the spectre of nuclear conflict in a ... Read More »
A second Cold War is upon us: and we only have ourselves to blame
After the glimpse of an end to history, we are back to the droogs and their horrorshow, except they are now in Moscow – and Salisbury There is a story (which I believe to be true) about a wandering West Coast surfer, board bag over his shoulder, who accidentally landed ... Read More »