Mitt Romney Urges Republican Party to Reject Donald Trump

Mitt Romney has urged the Republican Party to reject Donald Trump, reportedly calling the front-runner a “phony” and “fraud”. The former Republican presidential candidate accuses Donald Trump of “playing the American public for suckers”, in a planned speech leaked to the media. Donald Trump has meanwhile mocked Mitt Romney on Twitter as a “failed candidate”… Continue reading Mitt Romney Urges Republican Party to Reject Donald Trump

Indonesia 7.8-Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning

Western Indonesia has been hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reports. There have been no immediate reports of damage. According to the USGS, the earthquake struck at 19:49 local time. It said the epicenter was 500 miles south-west of the city of Padang, and 15 miles deep. Indonesian officials issued… Continue reading Indonesia 7.8-Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning

North Korea Boycotts UN Human Rights Council Session Examining Its Record

North Korea has announced it will no longer take part in UN Human Rights Council session examining its rights record. Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong accused the council of “politicization, selectivity and double standards” and of “singling out” North Korea for criticism. The UN council has repeatedly criticized North Korea over its treatment of its citizens.… Continue reading North Korea Boycotts UN Human Rights Council Session Examining Its Record

Super Tuesday 2016: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Win Most States

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have each won the most states on Super Tuesday. The count is still on but Donald Trump has so far won seven states, compared with only two taken by his closest rival, Ted Cruz, and one by Marco Rubio. Speaking in his home state of Texas, Ted Cruz urged other… Continue reading Super Tuesday 2016: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Win Most States

Super Tuesday 2016: First Polls Open in Virginia

US presidential candidates face their biggest test yet in the so-called Super Tuesday primaries. Twelve states cast votes for candidates from either the Republican or Democratic parties or both in a contest seen as make-or-break for the hopefuls. Contests stretch from Vermont in the east to Texas and Georgia in the south. After earlier votes… Continue reading Super Tuesday 2016: First Polls Open in Virginia

Otto Warmbier: American Student Arrested in North Korea Admits to Stealing Propaganda

American student Otto Warmbier, who was arrested in North Korea, has appeared on state media admitting to trying to steal a piece of propaganda from a hotel. Otto Warmbier, a 21-year-old University of Virginia student, said he was asked by a US church to bring back the “trophy”. He had been on a tourist trip… Continue reading Otto Warmbier: American Student Arrested in North Korea Admits to Stealing Propaganda

Donald Trump Re-Tweets Mussolini Quote

Donald Trump has re-tweeted a quote attributed to Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. The tweet, created by a parody account and including Donald Trump’s handle, read: “It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep.” The account is named @ilduce2016 after Benito Mussolini’s Italian title, the Leader. Asked… Continue reading Donald Trump Re-Tweets Mussolini Quote

Iran Elections 2016: Hassan Rouhani’s Reformists Win All Tehran Seats

Iran’s reformists have won a landslide victory in Tehran, in the first elections since the country signed a nuclear deal with world powers. With 90% of the votes counted, the allies of reformist President Hassan Rouhani – the pro-Rouhani List of Hope – are set to take all 30 seats in Tehran. The leading conservative… Continue reading Iran Elections 2016: Hassan Rouhani’s Reformists Win All Tehran Seats

Hillary Clinton Wins South Carolina Primary ahead of Super Tuesday

Hillary Clinton has won the South Carolina primary, the latest battleground in the race to be Democratic presidential nominee. Her victory was widely expected but it gives her momentum ahead of the “Super Tuesday” primaries in 11 states next week. “Tomorrow this campaign goes national,” Hillary Clinton told cheering supporters. Rival Bernie Sanders has congratulated… Continue reading Hillary Clinton Wins South Carolina Primary ahead of Super Tuesday

Robert Mugabe’s 92nd Birthday Party Criticized by Zimbabwe’s Opposition

Zimbabwe’s opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has criticized the ruling party for hosting lavish 92nd birthday celebrations for President Robert Mugabe while swathes of the population face food shortages. The event reportedly cost almost $800,000. Robert Mugabe has dominated Zimbabwe politics since independence from the UK in 1980. The event, which was televised… Continue reading Robert Mugabe’s 92nd Birthday Party Criticized by Zimbabwe’s Opposition

Chris Christie Endorses Donald Trump for President

Chris Christie has made a surprise announcement saying that he is endorsing Donald Trump for president. The New Jersey governor and former Republican candidate dropped out of the 2016 presidential race after a lacklustre showing in polls and state races. During a press conference, Chris Christie said: “I’m happy to be on the Trump team… Continue reading Chris Christie Endorses Donald Trump for President

Iran Elections 2016: Voters Choose New Parliament and Assembly of Experts

Iran is voting in two key elections – the first since a deal with world powers over its nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. Iranian voters are choosing a new parliament and Assembly of Experts, a clerical body that appoints the Supreme Leader. Reformists are hoping to increase their influence in both institutions, which… Continue reading Iran Elections 2016: Voters Choose New Parliament and Assembly of Experts

Republican Debate: Donald Trump Attacked by Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio

Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio have unleashed a barrage of attacks on front-runner Donald Trump in the last Republican debate before Super Tuesday. They sought to blunt Donald Trump’s momentum after he won three of the first four contests. Immigration, healthcare and outreach to Latino voters dominated the debate. Like previous occasions, the debate quickly… Continue reading Republican Debate: Donald Trump Attacked by Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio

North Korea Sanctions: US Presents Draft Resolution to UN

The US has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council in response to North Korea’s recent nuclear test and missile launch. The resolution, aimed at imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea, is backed by China. The measures would for the first time require UN member states to inspect all cargo to or from… Continue reading North Korea Sanctions: US Presents Draft Resolution to UN

EU Refugee Crisis: Greece Recalls Its Ambassador to Austria over Balkan Meeting

Greek ambassador to Austria has been recalled amid sharp divisions among EU states over the refugee crisis. The move came after Austria hosted a meeting with Balkan states on the refugee issue, to which Greece was not invited. Meanwhile, EU and Balkan interior ministers have met in Brussels to try to heal rifts over the… Continue reading EU Refugee Crisis: Greece Recalls Its Ambassador to Austria over Balkan Meeting

Nepal Plane Crash Kills 23 People near Pokhara

Twenty three people on board of a small passenger plane have been killed after the aircraft crashed in mountainous western Nepal. The Twin Otter aircraft, operated by Tara Air, was travelling from Pokhara to Jomsom and lost contact with the control tower shortly after taking off. Most of those on board were Nepalis. It is… Continue reading Nepal Plane Crash Kills 23 People near Pokhara

Bolivia Referendum: Evo Morales Loses Fourth Term Bid

Bolivian voters have rejected changing the constitution so President Evo Morales can run for a fourth term. About 51.5% voted against the move with almost all the votes counted, the electoral authority said. Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first president of indigenous origin, has said he will respect the referendum result. The constitutional change would have allowed… Continue reading Bolivia Referendum: Evo Morales Loses Fourth Term Bid

Donald Trump Wins Nevada Cementing His Lead in GOP Nomination Race

Photo AP

Donald Trump has easily won Nevada, cementing his lead in the race for GOP nomination. The Republican presidential hopeful now has three consecutive wins, after victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who have been attacking each other this week, are vying for second place. GOP officials said they… Continue reading Donald Trump Wins Nevada Cementing His Lead in GOP Nomination Race

Guantanamo Bay Closure: Barack Obama Presents Plans to Congress

Photo Getty Images

President Barack Obama has presented to Congress a plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The Guantanamo Bay closure is one of the president’s long-standing goals. Barack Obama wants to transfer the remaining 91 detainees to their home countries or to US military or civilian prisons. However, Congress is deeply opposed to terror suspects… Continue reading Guantanamo Bay Closure: Barack Obama Presents Plans to Congress

Dutch Train Crash Kills at Least One Person near Dalfsen

At least one person died after a passenger train has derailed near the Dutch town of Dalfsen, officials say. The train hit a hydraulic crane on a crossing, tilted over and went into a field, leaving several carriages lying on their sides. According to residents, the crane had been crossing the line, east of the… Continue reading Dutch Train Crash Kills at Least One Person near Dalfsen

Delhi Water Supply Partially Restored

Water has begun to return to Delhi residents, where up to 10 million of people were affected after protesters sabotaged a key canal. The Indian army took control of the Munak canal in neighboring Haryana state on February 22 after Jat community protesters, angry at caste job quotas, seized it. Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra… Continue reading Delhi Water Supply Partially Restored

Fiji: Cyclone Winston Death Toll Rises to 29

The death toll of cyclone Winston that hit Fiji at the weekend has risen to 29, with officials warning the clear-up could take months. About 8,500 people are still sheltering in evacuation centers. Cyclone Winston, a category 5 storm, has flattened many buildings in parts of the main Viti Levu island and Koro islands, Fijian… Continue reading Fiji: Cyclone Winston Death Toll Rises to 29

Delhi Water Crisis: Ten Million of People Affected by Jat Quota Protest

Ten million of people in Delhi, India, are without water despite the army regaining control of its key water source after protests, officials say. According to officials, it would take “three to four days” before normal supplies resumed to affected areas. Jat community protesters demanding more government jobs seized the Munak canal, Delhi’s main water… Continue reading Delhi Water Crisis: Ten Million of People Affected by Jat Quota Protest

Bolivia Referendum: President Evo Morales Loses Fourth Term Bid

Bolivian President Evo Morales has narrowly lost a referendum to allow him to stand for a fourth term in office, exit polls suggest. One poll suggests 52.3% voted against the proposal to amend the constitution, while another suggests it was 51%. However, Evo Morales’s deputy has predicted Bolivia’s first head of state of indigenous origin… Continue reading Bolivia Referendum: President Evo Morales Loses Fourth Term Bid

Patriarch Kirill Prays in Front of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer

Patriarch Kirill has prayed in front of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Latin America tour began last week, with a historic meeting with Pope Francis in Cuba. Patriarch Kirill arrived in Brazil after visiting Paraguay and a Russian scientific base in the Antarctica.… Continue reading Patriarch Kirill Prays in Front of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer