Donald Trump Secures Republican Nomination at GOP Convention

Republican Donald Trump has secured his nomination for US president on day two of GOP’s National Convention. House Speaker Paul Ryan urged delegates to unite behind Donald Trump, a day after splits in the party were evident as the convention opened. The Trump campaign also faces accusations a speech by Melania Trump on July 18… Continue reading Donald Trump Secures Republican Nomination at GOP Convention

Turkey Coup Attempt: More Than 50,000 People Purged by Government

Over 50,000 people have been detained, fired or suspended from their jobs by Turkey’s government in the wake of last week’s failed coup. The purge of those deemed disloyal to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan widened on July 19 to include teachers, university deans and the media. According to the government, they are allied to US-based… Continue reading Turkey Coup Attempt: More Than 50,000 People Purged by Government

Did Melania Trump Plagiarize Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic Convention Speech?

Melania Trump is facing accusations of plagiarism after her speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention. Commentators noticed similarities with First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic Convention speech. Melania Trump’s speech also praised her husband as a “compassionate” man who would “fight for the country”. It was her first speech of the… Continue reading Did Melania Trump Plagiarize Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic Convention Speech?

Turkey Coup Attempt: Nearly 8,000 Police Officers Purged

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Up to 8,000 police officers have been suspended in Turkey, reportedly on suspicion of having links to the failed coup attempt at the weekend, officials say. Some 6,000 members of the judiciary and military, including generals, have been detained in connection with the coup. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to purge state bodies of… Continue reading Turkey Coup Attempt: Nearly 8,000 Police Officers Purged

Morocco Wants to Rejoin African Union After 32 Years

Morocco has announced its intention to rejoin the African Union (AU), 32 years after leaving the organization. In a message to the AU summit in Rwanda, King Mohammed VI of Morocco said the time had come for his country to retake its place within its institutional family. Morocco left the AU in 1984, after the… Continue reading Morocco Wants to Rejoin African Union After 32 Years

Baton Rouge Shootings: African-American Gunman Kills Three Police Officers

Three police officers were shot dead in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by an African-American who had served for five years in the Marines. The suspect, Gavin Long from Kansas City, Missouri, was also killed. Gavin Long, 29, had posted videos on the internet complaining about police treatment of African-Americans. Tensions in Baton Rouge have been high… Continue reading Baton Rouge Shootings: African-American Gunman Kills Three Police Officers

Donald Trump Picks Mike Pence as Running Mate

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Indiana Governor Mike Pence has been selected to be Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate. Donald Trump’s campaign planned to announce his selection on July 15, but canceled the event because of the attack in Nice, France. On July 15, Donald Trump confirmed the selection on Twitter. Donald Trump hopes Mike Pence – a former congressman… Continue reading Donald Trump Picks Mike Pence as Running Mate

Brexit: UK PM Theresa May Starts Shaping New Cabinet

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UK’s PM Theresa May has started forming her new government – as she begins her first full day in Downing Street. Former London mayor and leading Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson said he was “humbled” having been named new foreign secretary, in one of Theresa May’s first cabinet appointments. Philip Hammond became chancellor, Amber Rudd is… Continue reading Brexit: UK PM Theresa May Starts Shaping New Cabinet

Two US Diplomats Expelled from Moscow Amid Row

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Two US diplomats have been expelled from Moscow, after the White House said it had ordered two Russian embassy staff to leave Washington. On July 8, the US State Department said their move came after a Russian policeman attacked a US diplomat near the US embassy in Moscow. That US diplomat has now been expelled… Continue reading Two US Diplomats Expelled from Moscow Amid Row

Philando Castile: Another Black Man Killed by Police in Minnesota

Philando Castile, a black man from Minnesota, has been shot dead by police as protests continued over the police killing of another black man in Louisiana. His girlfriend live-streamed the aftermath of the latest incident, showing Philando Castile covered in blood as an officer pointed his gun at him. Philando Castile, 32, was shot as… Continue reading Philando Castile: Another Black Man Killed by Police in Minnesota

Hillary Clinton Questioned by FBI over Use of Emails

Hillary Clinton has been questioned by the FBI over her use of emails while she was secretary of state, her campaign says. A spokesperson for the Democratic presidential candidate said it was a voluntary interview. The FBI is investigating Hillary Clinton and her aides over whether they mishandled classified information on a private email server… Continue reading Hillary Clinton Questioned by FBI over Use of Emails

Australia Elections 2016: Coalition Government Expected to Win

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Australia is holding federal elections, where the conservative coalition government is widely expected to win. PM Malcolm Turnball and opposition leader Bill Shorten delivered their final pitches to voters on July 1 after a marathon eight-week campaign. The UK’s decision to leave the EU appears to have benefitted PM Malcolm Turnbull. Labor Party leader Bill… Continue reading Australia Elections 2016: Coalition Government Expected to Win

Austria Court Annuls Presidential Election Result

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Austria’s Constitutional Court has annulled the result of the presidential election narrowly lost by Norbert Hofer, the candidate of the far-right Freedom Party. The Freedom Party had challenged the result, saying that postal votes had been illegally and improperly handled. Norbert Hofer lost the election to the former leader of the Greens, Alexander Van der… Continue reading Austria Court Annuls Presidential Election Result

Philippines: Rodrigo Duterte and Leni Robredo Inauguration

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Rodrigo Duterte has been sworn in as the new president of the Philippines, after winning election in May. The 71-year-old overthrew the political establishment at the polls, promising a “bloody war” on crime and corruption. In his inaugural speech the controversial former mayor of Davao City promised to make sweeping changes to the country’s political… Continue reading Philippines: Rodrigo Duterte and Leni Robredo Inauguration

El Chapo Guzman Extradition to US Temporarily Halted

The extradition of Mexican cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the US has been temporarily halted after his lawyers filed appeals. Mexico agreed to transfer El Chapo Guzman in May after the US guaranteed he would not face the death penalty. However, the ruling means it could be months or even years before the… Continue reading El Chapo Guzman Extradition to US Temporarily Halted

Spain Elections 2016: Polls Open for Second Vote

Spanish voters are going back to polls after the country’s four main parties failed to break the political deadlock from December’s inconclusive general election. More than 36 million of voters are called on to cast their ballot. Opinion polls have suggested that June 26 election may still not overcome the stalemate. Spain’s conservative Popular Party… Continue reading Spain Elections 2016: Polls Open for Second Vote

West Virginia Flooding: President Barack Obama Declares Major Disaster

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President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in West Virginia, where the worst floods in more than a century have left at least 24 people dead. The president ordered federal aid for three of the worst affected counties following a request by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. West Virginia residents will now receive grants for… Continue reading West Virginia Flooding: President Barack Obama Declares Major Disaster

Brexit: EU Explains Leaving Procedure

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The European Union has explained the way Britain can kick start formal negotiations to exit the union following June 23 referendum. The EU says Britain can trigger Article 50, which sets a two-year deadline for a deal, by making a formal declaration either in a letter or a speech. British PM David Cameron has said… Continue reading Brexit: EU Explains Leaving Procedure

Venezuela Opposition Petition to Oust Nicolas Maduro Validated

Venezuela’s opposition has validated enough signatures on a petition to move to the next stage in a process to remove President Nicolas Maduro in a recall referendum. Hundreds of thousands of people have given fingerprints to authenticate signatures on the petition. Referendum co-ordinator Vicente Bello said the number of signatures had “clearly exceeded the minimum… Continue reading Venezuela Opposition Petition to Oust Nicolas Maduro Validated

Bernie Sanders Backs Hillary Clinton’s Candidacy

Bernie Sanders has announced he will vote for his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in November’s presidential election. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have fought for the Democratic nomination, which the former secretary of state won this month. Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described socialist, told MSNBC he would do everything in his power to defeat the… Continue reading Bernie Sanders Backs Hillary Clinton’s Candidacy

Brexit: Donald Trump Hails UK Referendum Result

Donald Trump has said it is a “great thing” that Britons have “taken back their country” in voting to leave the EU. The presumptive Republican nominee’s comments came as he arrived at Trump Turnberry in Scotland for the reopening of the refurbished Open venue golf resort. Donald Trump added his name to the Ayrshire hotel… Continue reading Brexit: Donald Trump Hails UK Referendum Result

Supreme Court Blocks Barack Obama’s Immigration Plan

President Barack Obama’s plan to shield millions of undocumented immigrants living illegally in the US failed to pass the Supreme Court. The court has announced it is split on the president’s plan. The divide comes as a blow to Barack Obama’s 2014 executive action which he enacted without Congress and will now be assessed in… Continue reading Supreme Court Blocks Barack Obama’s Immigration Plan

Brexit Referendum: PM David Cameron to Resign in October

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UK’s PM David Cameron has announced he will step down by October after Britain voted to leave the EU. In a statement outside Downing Street, David Cameron said he would attempt to “steady the ship” over the coming weeks and months but that “fresh leadership” was needed. He had urged Britain to vote Remain but… Continue reading Brexit Referendum: PM David Cameron to Resign in October

Brexit Referendum Results: UK Votes to Leave European Union

The UK voted to leave the European Union with 52% to 48% despite London, Scotland and Northern Ireland backing staying in. The Brexit referendum turnout was 71.8% – with more than 30 million people voting – the highest turnout at a UK-wide vote since 1992. Nigel Farage – who has campaigned for the past 20… Continue reading Brexit Referendum Results: UK Votes to Leave European Union

Congress Blocked by Democratic Sit-In

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The Congress has been blocked by a Democrat protest over a vote on gun control legislation. The Democrats’ sit-in comes in the wake of the recent shootings in Orlando, the deadliest in modern US history. Republican Speaker Paul Ryan tried to regain control of the lower house but was met with chants of “no bill,… Continue reading Congress Blocked by Democratic Sit-In