World News

Spain PM pledges EU support for Ukraine as Zelensky slams foot-dragging

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged the EU's "unequivocal" support for Ukraine in Kyiv on Saturday as Spain assumed presidency of the bloc, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hit out at foot-dragging over pilot training by "some" western nations.. Sanchez visited Kyiv on the first day of Spain's EU presidency, saying this "demonstrates a clear and unequivocal political commitment" to Ukraine's bid to join the 27-nation bloc.

EU's support for Kyiv's membership 'unequivocal': Sanchez

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Saturday that his visit to Kyiv on the first day of Spain's EU presidency showed the bloc's "unequivocal" commitment to Ukraine's bid to join the 27-nation bloc. . In an earlier address to Ukraine's parliament, the Spanish leader thanked lawmakers for their legislative work, recalling that Ukraine's desire to join the 27-nation bloc was one of the reasons for Russia's invasion. 

UN chief arrives in Haiti for 'solidarity' visit: official

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Haiti on Saturday for a lightning visit aimed at showing "solidarity" with the country's people as it navigates a "tragic cycle" of overlapping security, political and economic woes, his spokesperson said.. Guterres -- making his first visit to Haiti as UN secretary-general -- is expected to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Henry as well as other political leaders and members of civil society, his spokesperson said in announcing his arrival.

Biden to host Swedish PM for talks on NATO, Ukraine

US President Joe Biden will host Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson next week to talk about transatlantic security cooperation and the war in Ukraine, the White House said Saturday. . At the White House on Wednesday, Biden and Kristersson will also "discuss our shared commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia's brutal war of aggression," the White House said.

Stay calm, London 2012 organiser advises Paris Olympics chiefs amid riots

Paris 2024 Olympics organisers should "stay calm and focused" despite riots sweeping France just over a year before the games, Hugh Robertson, a British former minister responsible for London 2012, told AFP. The 60-year-old former Conservative Party lawmaker spoke from experience as riots also gripped London and other urban areas in England in 2011 following the fatal shooting by police of a young man.  . "Stay calm and keep focused," he said.

Gaza rulers Hamas display weapons for first time

The armed wing of Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas has put its weapons on public display for the first time, drawing hundreds of Palestinians including children brandishing rocket launchers for selfies.. Among the Hamas weapons on display in Gaza City on Friday were a range of locally manufactured missiles, "Shihab" drones, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and Russian-made "Kornet" missiles.

Rwandans 'prisoners in their own country': Rusesabagina

Outspoken Rwandan government critic Paul Rusesabagina, who became internationally renowned for his efforts to save people during the 1994 genocide, said Saturday that Rwandans were "prisoners in their own country".. Rusesabagina, then the manager of a Kigali hotel, is credited with having helped to save about 1,200 lives during the 1994 genocide in which about 800,000 people were slaughtered, mainly Tutsis but also moderate Hutus.

Afghan Taliban say Biden 'acknowledged reality' about Al-Qaeda

Afghanistan's Taliban government on Saturday seized on an off-the-cuff remark by US President Joe Biden to underscore their claim that there was no Al-Qaeda threat in the country.. "We consider remarks by US President Joe Biden about non-existence of armed groups in Afghanistan as acknowledgement of reality," the ministry said in a statement.

25 dead after bus catches fire in India

At least 25 people were killed and eight others injured in western India when a bus crashed and caught fire on an expressway early Saturday.. And last October, at least 31 people were killed after a bus carrying wedding guests veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge in northern India. abh/gle/smw

PM Hun Sen says Facebook reps no longer allowed in Cambodia

Prime Minister Hun Sen has backed down from threats to cut off access to Facebook in Cambodia, even as he declared the company's representatives would no longer be welcome in the country.. Hun Sen did, however, say the social media giant's representatives would "no longer be allowed in Cambodia".