International

A lack of progress on reforms such as World Health Organisation funding and international health regulations means the world is as vulnerable as ever. — Reuters pic LONDON, May 18 —The world is no better prepared for a new pandemic threat than it was when coronavirus emerged in 2019, and may actually be in a … Read more

US Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray explains a video of an unidentified aerial phenomena, as he testifies before a House Intelligence Committee subcommittee hearing at the US Capitol May 17, 2022. — Getty Images via AFP WASHINGTON, May 18 — An increasing number of unidentified flying objects have been reported in the sky … Read more

Former US President Donald Trump has not acknowledged his election loss. — Reuters pic WASHINGTON, May 17 — Federal prosecutors today sought to portray an attorney who formerly worked for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign as a privileged, high-powered person who abused his connections with the FBI in a bid to harm former President Donald … Read more

Former South African President Jacob Zuma claims he is the victim of a political witch-hunt and has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, money laundering and racketeering. — Reuters pic CAPE TOWN, May 17 — A South African court today granted another adjournment in former president Jacob Zuma’s arms deal corruption trial, as his … Read more

Scholz’s SPD lost a regional election in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany’s most populous state, to the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) yesterday. — Reuters pic BERLIN, May 16 — The worst post-war result for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats in a traditional party stronghold heaps pressure on him to show more decisive leadership over the Ukraine … Read more

Israel and the Palestinians remain at loggerheads over Abu Akleh’s shooting in Jenin on Wednesday. — Reuters pic JERUSALEM, May 16 — An organisation representing 12 Christian denominations on Monday condemned an Israeli riot police charge at the funeral of a Palestinian Christian Al Jazeera journalist, describing the actions as a violation of freedom of … Read more

A resident looks out through a gap in the barrier at a residential area during lockdown, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, in Shanghai, China, May 6, 2022. — Reuters pic SHANGHAI, May 16 — Shanghai set out plans on Monday for the return of more normal life from June 1 and the end of … Read more

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russia of disregarding the Nato-Russia Founding Act. — Pool via Reuters pic BERLIN, May 15 — Russia’s behaviour amounts to the unilateral repudiation of a 1997 cooperation agreement with Nato, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said today. “The Russian government has made it clear that the Nato-Russia Founding Act … Read more

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba was due to brief Nato foreign ministers in Berlin today. — Reuters pic BERLIN, May 15 — Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Berlin today and that “more weapons and other aid is on the way to Ukraine”. Kuleba was due … Read more

People hold signage at one of the Bans Off Our Bodies abortion rights protests being held across the nation today, near City Hall in Los Angeles, California, on May 13, 2022. — AFP pic NEW YORK, May 15 — Thousands of activists chanting, banging drums and wielding placards flooded streets across the United States yesterday … Read more

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech as he is sworn-in for a second term as president after his re-election, during a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, May 7, 2022. — Reuters pic PARIS, May 14 — French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a trip to the United Arab Emirates to mourn the … Read more

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an event with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as part of the US-Asean Special Summit, in Washington May 13, 2022. ― Reuters pic WASHINGTON, May 14 ― US President Joe Biden said yesterday a first summit in Washington with leaders from the Association of … Read more