The Philippines took a surprise decision to reject development assistance from the European Union in a move to secure the country’s independent foreign policy, a top official of President Rodrigo Duterte said. The Southeast Asian country preferres to decline 250 million Euros ($278.88 million) worth of grants to exclude European Union from influencing its internal…
Category: World
China invites to joint Silk Road
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $124 billion for his ambitious new Silk Road plan, saying everyone was welcome to join what he described would be a path for peace and prosperity for the world. China has touted what it formally calls the Belt and Road initiative as a new way to boost development since Xi…
Conflict-famine link
The United Nations has declared famine in parts of South Sudan and warned that more than 20 million people risk dying from starvation because of drought and conflict in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria, while more than 100 million face acute malnutrition worldwide. Stephen O’Brien, the United Nations’ top humanitarian official underlined the…
Lavrov’ visit to Washington
Moscow and Washington can and should solve global issues together, Lavrov said following his meetings with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US President Donald Trump. “I had a bilateral meeting with Rex Tillerson, then the two of us were received by President Trump,” the Russian top diplomat said. “We discussed, first and foremost, our…
US aviation banned in Syria’s de-escalation zones
The planned de-escalation zones in Syria will be closed to the US-led coalition’s aviation, the head of Russia’s delegation and the president’s special envoy for Syrian settlement, Alexander Lavrentyev, said. “The case is that in the de-escalation zones the work of aviation, especially the coalition forces, is absolutely not envisaged, with or without notification,” he…
World Press Fredom Day
World Press Freedom Day is marked every year on 3 May, but there is little reason to celebrate as journalists continue to be repressed and persecuted all over the world. The challenges facing the press are discussed by Parliament’s human rights subcommittee on Thursday morning, with a special focus on the growing threat of disinformation….
Erdogan’s ultimatum to EU
President Tayyip Erdogan said on the European Union must open new chapters in Turkey’s accession process, otherwise Ankara had nothing to discuss with the bloc and would say “goodbye”. “From now on there is no option other than opening the chapters you have not yet opened. If you do not open (them), goodbye,” Erdogan said…
Trump contemplates meeting with Kim Jong Un
“If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him (Kim Jong Un), I would absolutely, I would be honored to do it,” Trump told Bloomberg News commenting on the US policies towards North Korea. Clearly aware of the power of his declaration, he added: “We have breaking news.” As a presidential candidate, Trump…
Merkel without headscarf in Jeddah
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, has arrived in the oil-rich kingdom without a headscarf for talks with the King. Merkel was greeted by King Salman and other officials upon her arrival at the western city of Jeddah on Sunday, The Independent reported. The 62-year-old like other female Western…
Turkey to reconsider joining EU
President Tayyip Erdogan told he will reconsider the position on joining the European Union if Turkey was kept waiting much longer and if the current attitude, described by him as a ‘hostile mentality’ of some member states persists. Erdogan says Turkey could reconsider its position on Europe https://t.co/BZz9WopMMr pic.twitter.com/OurAPakLK0 — Reuters UK (@ReutersUK) April 25,…
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