Shi’ite Iran is determined to strengthen its brotherly ties with neighboring Iraq, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday before his “historic” first visit to the country, state television said on Monday. The visit is a strong message to the United States and its regional allies that Iran still dominates ...

BEIRUT: Former French President Francois Hollande Thursday wrapped up a two-day visit to Lebanon after meeting with top Lebanese officials to discuss matters relating to Lebanese sovereignty, the Syrian war and CEDRE reforms. Thursday morning, Hollande met President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace to discuss Lebanon’s domestic situation and the ...

The Chinese government’s top diplomat issued a stern warning on Friday against interfering in Venezuela or imposing sanctions on the South American nation, saying history offered a clear lesson about not “following the same old disastrous road”. China has repeatedly called for outsiders not to interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs ...

Analysis of air pollution data finds that 64% of cities globally exceed WHO guidelines Twenty-two of the world’s 30 worst cities for air pollution are in India, according to a new report, with Delhi again ranked the world’s most polluted capital. The Greenpeace and AirVisual analysis of air pollution readings ...

Before Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in east Ukraine, Moscow had a Ukrainian president who did much of what it wanted. Now, as Ukraine readies to elect a new leader, none of the main candidates look that enticing to Russia. Viktor Yanukovich, the last Moscow-friendly Ukrainian president, was toppled ...

A clothing and cosmetics model and a former monk are campaigning together for Thailand’s election at a market outside Bangkok. The message: Buddhism is under threat. Their politics marks a new trend in traditionally tolerant Thailand, where Buddhist nationalist movements have never taken root in the same way as in ...

‘It’s our job to protect the rule of law,’ committee chair says The US House Judiciary Committee will launch a probe into possible obstruction of justice and abuse of power by Donald Trump. Jerry Nadler, who chairs the committee, told ABC that the panel wanted to obtain documents from more ...

Democracy movement Mouwatana opposes president Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term The coordinator of protests sweeping across Algeria for the past week has called for wholesale regime change as tens of thousands are expected to take to the streets on Friday. “What Algerians want is to get rid of not ...

Asian shares rise sharply after US president says he will hold a summit with Xi Jinping to conclude an agreement to end trade standoff Shares in Asia have soared after Donald Trump said he would delay an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods, citing “substantial progress” in trade talks with ...

Top Trump officials pushed plan to share technology despite objections, according to House oversight committee report Top White House officials pushed a plan to share nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia, despite objections from career national security staff, according to a new congressional report. The report from the House oversight committee ...