Monday, 22 December 2025

Author: AFP

Tunisia prepares for polls after death of president

TUNIS: Tunisia has less than two months to organise snap elections following the death of president Beji Caid Essebsi, amid uncertainty over who could step forward to run the North African country. Essebsi, the country’s first head of state elected in nationwide polls, died Thursday at the age of 92,

115 migrants missing off Libyan coast

TRIPOLI / GENEVA: About 115 people are missing and feared to have drowned and another 134 were rescued by Libyan coast guards and local fishermen after a wooden boat carrying migrants capsized off Libya, a Libyan navy official said on Thursday. Earlier, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said that up

Swiss specialities Chocolate, cheese and … wine?

When foreigners think of Swiss specialities that might excite their taste buds, world-renowned chocolate and cheese likely come to mind. Swiss wine? Not so much. But the global reputation of Switzerland’s winemakers may be set for a boost, backed by a new export promotion strategy that aims to see Swiss

Taiwanese ‘graffiti village’ eases elderly loneliness

Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan’s central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Dipping his brush into a tin of beige emulsion, he carefully applies

PM Johnson brings Brexit gang back together

From his top cabinet ministers down to his communications staff, Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has surrounded himself with colleagues who helped him win the 2016 Brexit vote. His decision to get the ‘Vote Leave’ campaign team back together emphasises how determined he is to take Britain out of

China eyes high-tech army

BEIJING: China outlined plans to build a modern, high-tech army in a national defence plan published yesterday, while accusing Washington of undermining global strategic stability and warning against Taiwanese independence. The first white paper since 2012 gives rare insight into the world’s largest army and Beijing’s military ambitions. “International strategic

Mueller to call out Trump ‘crimes’

WASHINGTON: Pressure mounted on Robert Mueller, who headed the probe investigating Russian meddling, to spell out clearly in Congressional testimony yesterday if he believes President Donald Trump committed a crime. Three months after releasing the final report on his two-year investigation into the 2016 presidential election, much of the American

Johnson faces daunting woes

LONDON: Incoming British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took power yesterday with an array of issues looming large — from resolving Brexit amid growing uncertainty to managing an unfolding geo-political crisis with Iran. Here are the top challenges confronting the new British leader as he enters Downing Street: Britain’s stalled departure

Two teen suspects sought in Canada

MONTREAL: Canadian police on Tuesday named two suspects wanted in connection with three murders, including the killings of an American woman and Australian man whose bodies were found in rural British Columbia. Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, had been reported missing in British Columbia but are now believed

Potomac River hits record high temperature

WASHINGTON: The Potomac River, which flows through the US capital Washington, hit a record high temperature of 94 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend — as warm as bathwater — following a major heat wave. The previous highs came in the summers of 2011 and 2012, though record keeping began only