Don't expect sword dances when Biden visits Saudi Arabia
From having "no redeeming social value" to being a "strategic partner" of the United States. That's how far Saudi Arabia has come in President Joe Biden's eyes since Russia's invasion of Ukraine saw oil prices soaring to eight-year highs.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and the US have deteriorated significantly since Biden replaced Donald Trump in the Oval Office. But that's changing now as Biden makes his first visit to the kingdom as President this week and is likely to rub shoulders with the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
Both former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump were ridiculed for bowing to the Saudi king during trips to the kingdom. Trump even made history by picking Saudi Arabia for his first presidential visit, which was characterized by sword dances, glowing orbs and pomp. read more
From having "no redeeming social value" to being a "strategic partner" of the United States. That's how far Saudi Arabia has come in President Joe Biden's eyes since Russia's invasion of Ukraine saw oil prices soaring to eight-year highs.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and the US have deteriorated significantly since Biden replaced Donald Trump in the Oval Office. But that's changing now as Biden makes his first visit to the kingdom as President this week and is likely to rub shoulders with the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
Both former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump were ridiculed for bowing to the Saudi king during trips to the kingdom. Trump even made history by picking Saudi Arabia for his first presidential visit, which was characterized by sword dances, glowing orbs and pomp. read more
Filipinos are buying books to preserve the truth about the Marcos regime
Filipinos living abroad are snapping up books about the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, not just to read about history but to preserve it.
The rush to buy books documenting Marcos' destructive 21-year reign comes as his son, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., assumes office after a landslide election victory in May.
Marcos Jr. has never publicly acknowledged or apologized for the human rights abuses, corruption and theft that historians say took place under his father's leadership.
And there are fears that now he is in power, he will try to rewrite history. read more
Filipinos living abroad are snapping up books about the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, not just to read about history but to preserve it.
The rush to buy books documenting Marcos' destructive 21-year reign comes as his son, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., assumes office after a landslide election victory in May.
Marcos Jr. has never publicly acknowledged or apologized for the human rights abuses, corruption and theft that historians say took place under his father's leadership.
And there are fears that now he is in power, he will try to rewrite history. read more
Zelensky fires top officials over staffers' 'collaboration' with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed two important figures in his government, questioning their leadership qualities and accusing many of their subordinates of treason and collaborating with Russia.
"Today I made a decision to remove the Prosecutor General from office and to dismiss the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine," Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
The two officials dismissed are Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and State Security Service (SBU) head Ivan Bakanov, a long-time associate of the president. read more
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed two important figures in his government, questioning their leadership qualities and accusing many of their subordinates of treason and collaborating with Russia.
"Today I made a decision to remove the Prosecutor General from office and to dismiss the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine," Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
The two officials dismissed are Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and State Security Service (SBU) head Ivan Bakanov, a long-time associate of the president. read more
Malaysia seizes $18 million worth of elephant tusks, tiger bones and other trafficked animal parts
Malaysian authorities have seized a massive haul of trafficked animal parts, including elephant tusks, rhino horns, pangolin scales and tiger bones worth around 80 million ringgit ($17.9 million).
Authorities discovered around six tonnes of ivory tusks and other animal parts at the western port in Selangor state on Sunday.
The animal parts are thought to have been shipped from Africa, Malaysian Customs Director General Zazuli Johan said on Monday. read more
Malaysian authorities have seized a massive haul of trafficked animal parts, including elephant tusks, rhino horns, pangolin scales and tiger bones worth around 80 million ringgit ($17.9 million).
Authorities discovered around six tonnes of ivory tusks and other animal parts at the western port in Selangor state on Sunday.
The animal parts are thought to have been shipped from Africa, Malaysian Customs Director General Zazuli Johan said on Monday. read more
Ancient fortress found by archaeologists may be a lost royal city
A 2,000-year-old fortress built on a mountainside in what's now Iraqi Kurdistan could be part of a lost royal city called Natounia.
With the help of drone photography, archaeologists excavated and cataloged the site during a series of digs between 2009 and 2022. Situated in the Zagros Mountains, the stone fortress of Rabana-Merquly comprises fortifications nearly 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, two smaller settlements, carved rock reliefs and a religious complex. read more
A 2,000-year-old fortress built on a mountainside in what's now Iraqi Kurdistan could be part of a lost royal city called Natounia.
With the help of drone photography, archaeologists excavated and cataloged the site during a series of digs between 2009 and 2022. Situated in the Zagros Mountains, the stone fortress of Rabana-Merquly comprises fortifications nearly 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, two smaller settlements, carved rock reliefs and a religious complex. read more
Europe plans to force countries to ration gas as Russia weaponizes energy
The European Union has unveiled its emergency gas rationing plan — a day before it fears Russia could drastically cut the flow of natural gas to the continent.
The "Save Gas for a Safe Winter" plan announced Wednesday sets a target for the 27 member states to reduce their gas demand by 15% between August and March next year. That reduction is based on countries' average gas consumption during the same months over the previous five years. read more
The European Union has unveiled its emergency gas rationing plan — a day before it fears Russia could drastically cut the flow of natural gas to the continent.
The "Save Gas for a Safe Winter" plan announced Wednesday sets a target for the 27 member states to reduce their gas demand by 15% between August and March next year. That reduction is based on countries' average gas consumption during the same months over the previous five years. read more
India's top court grants bail to Muslim journalist accused of insulting Hindus
Muslim journalist Mohammed Zubair has been freed from jail on the order of India's Supreme Court after he was detained last month for allegedly insulting religious beliefs on social media.
Zubair -- co-founder of fact-checking website Alt News, which debunks misinformation in the Indian media -- was arrested by Delhi police on June 27 after a Twitter user accused him of insulting Hindus in a 2018 post about the renaming of a hotel after a Hindu god.
Zubair had already been granted bail for the case in Delhi but had remained in custody after several police complaints were filed against him in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in June and July over separate social media posts. read more
Muslim journalist Mohammed Zubair has been freed from jail on the order of India's Supreme Court after he was detained last month for allegedly insulting religious beliefs on social media.
Zubair -- co-founder of fact-checking website Alt News, which debunks misinformation in the Indian media -- was arrested by Delhi police on June 27 after a Twitter user accused him of insulting Hindus in a 2018 post about the renaming of a hotel after a Hindu god.
Zubair had already been granted bail for the case in Delhi but had remained in custody after several police complaints were filed against him in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in June and July over separate social media posts. read more
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigns as coalition collapses, risking EU unity on Ukraine and economy
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigned on Thursday, plunging the European Union's third-largest economy into fresh political turmoil.
Draghi's resignation comes after several key parties in his coalition -- the powerful 5-Star movement, the largest party in the country's coalition government, center-right Forza Italia and the far-right League -- boycotted a confidence vote in the government Wednesday night. read more
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigned on Thursday, plunging the European Union's third-largest economy into fresh political turmoil.
Draghi's resignation comes after several key parties in his coalition -- the powerful 5-Star movement, the largest party in the country's coalition government, center-right Forza Italia and the far-right League -- boycotted a confidence vote in the government Wednesday night. read more
Boom Supersonic unveils new design for Overture supersonic jet
It's been almost 20 years since Concorde flew for the final time.
While various companies have set about bringing supersonic travel back to life since then, we're still yet to see this come to fruition.
However, Colorado-based start up Boom Supersonic is taking some major leaps forward in its quest to make supersonic flying a reality again.
Nearly two years after rolling out ts prototype supersonic demonstrator, the XB1, Boom has unveiled a major new design for its much anticipated Overture airliner, which will fly at twice the speed of today's subsonic commercial jets and is expected to carry its first passengers in 2029. read more
It's been almost 20 years since Concorde flew for the final time.
While various companies have set about bringing supersonic travel back to life since then, we're still yet to see this come to fruition.
However, Colorado-based start up Boom Supersonic is taking some major leaps forward in its quest to make supersonic flying a reality again.
Nearly two years after rolling out ts prototype supersonic demonstrator, the XB1, Boom has unveiled a major new design for its much anticipated Overture airliner, which will fly at twice the speed of today's subsonic commercial jets and is expected to carry its first passengers in 2029. read more
Myanmar genocide case over Rohingya atrocities can go ahead, top UN court rules
The World Court on Friday rejected Myanmar's objections to a genocide case over its treatment of the Muslim Rohingya minority, paving the way for the case to be heard in full.
Myanmar, now ruled by a military junta that seized power in 2021, had argued that Gambia, which brought the suit, had no standing to do so at the top UN court, formally known as the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
But presiding Judge Joan Donoghue said all states that had signed the 1948 Genocide Convention could and must act to prevent genocide, and the court had jurisdiction in the case. read more
The World Court on Friday rejected Myanmar's objections to a genocide case over its treatment of the Muslim Rohingya minority, paving the way for the case to be heard in full.
Myanmar, now ruled by a military junta that seized power in 2021, had argued that Gambia, which brought the suit, had no standing to do so at the top UN court, formally known as the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
But presiding Judge Joan Donoghue said all states that had signed the 1948 Genocide Convention could and must act to prevent genocide, and the court had jurisdiction in the case. read more
Brexit blamed for delays as British truckers and travelers face gridlock at Dover
Brexit has contributed to travelers being stuck in gridlock at the start of the summer holidays at the port of Dover, French and UK officials have said, as a war of words escalates between the two countries over hours-long delays at the border.
Holidaymakers and heavy goods vehicles were left stationary in traffic jams en route to the port in Kent, southern England on Saturday, with the port admitting that "today is going to be very busy" and travelers being warned of four-hour waits. read more
Brexit has contributed to travelers being stuck in gridlock at the start of the summer holidays at the port of Dover, French and UK officials have said, as a war of words escalates between the two countries over hours-long delays at the border.
Holidaymakers and heavy goods vehicles were left stationary in traffic jams en route to the port in Kent, southern England on Saturday, with the port admitting that "today is going to be very busy" and travelers being warned of four-hour waits. read more
Outrage as Russian missiles strike Odesa port one day after grain export deal agreed
Russian missile strikes have hit the southern Ukrainian port of Odesa, just one day after Ukraine and Russia agreed on a deal that would allow the resumption of vital grain exports from the region.
Serhii Bratchuk, a spokesman for the Odessa military administration, said two missiles hit the infrastructure of the port and two were shot down by Ukraine's air defense.
At least six explosions were heard in Odesa, according to Ukrainian member of parliament Oleksiy Goncharenko. read more
Russian missile strikes have hit the southern Ukrainian port of Odesa, just one day after Ukraine and Russia agreed on a deal that would allow the resumption of vital grain exports from the region.
Serhii Bratchuk, a spokesman for the Odessa military administration, said two missiles hit the infrastructure of the port and two were shot down by Ukraine's air defense.
At least six explosions were heard in Odesa, according to Ukrainian member of parliament Oleksiy Goncharenko. read more
On paper, it looked like a fantastic deal. In 2017, the Chinese government was offering to spend $100 million to build an ornate Chinese garden at the National Arboretum in Washington DC. Complete with temples, pavilions and a 70-foot white pagoda, the project thrilled local officials, who hoped it would attract thousands of tourists every year.
But when US counterintelligence officials began digging into the details, they found numerous red flags. The pagoda, they noted, would have been strategically placed on one of the highest points in Washington DC, just two miles from the US Capitol, a perfect spot for signals intelligence collection, multiple sources familiar with the episode told CNN. read more
But when US counterintelligence officials began digging into the details, they found numerous red flags. The pagoda, they noted, would have been strategically placed on one of the highest points in Washington DC, just two miles from the US Capitol, a perfect spot for signals intelligence collection, multiple sources familiar with the episode told CNN. read more
Mother identifies son as one of two Americans killed in Ukraine's Donbas region
One of the two American citizens who recently died in the Donbas region of Ukraine has been identified as Luke Lucyszyn, his mother told CNN.
Kathy Lucyszyn said she was informed of her son's death by the US State Department.
The State Department confirmed the deaths of two Americans to CNN on Saturday, but a spokesperson did not provide any details about the individuals or the circumstances. The spokesperson said they had been "in touch with the families and providing all possible consular assistance."
Politico first reported that Lucyszyn was killed. read more
One of the two American citizens who recently died in the Donbas region of Ukraine has been identified as Luke Lucyszyn, his mother told CNN.
Kathy Lucyszyn said she was informed of her son's death by the US State Department.
The State Department confirmed the deaths of two Americans to CNN on Saturday, but a spokesperson did not provide any details about the individuals or the circumstances. The spokesperson said they had been "in touch with the families and providing all possible consular assistance."
Politico first reported that Lucyszyn was killed. read more
US Army helicopters hold first live-fire drills in South Korea since 2019
US Army Apache attack helicopters based in South Korea are holding live-fire drills with rockets and guns for the first time since 2019, as the allies step up military exercises amid tension with North Korea.
Training resumed at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex just south of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the border, after having been canceled in recent years when those living nearby complained about noise and safety concerns.
Over the past week, AH-64E Apache helicopters engaged in certification drills, video images and photographs released by the US 2nd Infantry Division showed. read more
US Army Apache attack helicopters based in South Korea are holding live-fire drills with rockets and guns for the first time since 2019, as the allies step up military exercises amid tension with North Korea.
Training resumed at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex just south of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the border, after having been canceled in recent years when those living nearby complained about noise and safety concerns.
Over the past week, AH-64E Apache helicopters engaged in certification drills, video images and photographs released by the US 2nd Infantry Division showed. read more
Beijing hits back as UK leadership contenders sharpen China rhetoric
Beijing has urged candidates vying to be Britain's next Prime Minister to refrain from "hyping up the so-called 'China threat,'" as foreign relations with the Asian economic giant emerge as a key issue in the closely-fought leadership race.
Both former finance minister Rishi Sunak and his rival, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, have talked tough as they challenge for the top role, framing the United Kingdom as needing to defend its values against China's influence -- and Beijing has taken notice. read more
Beijing has urged candidates vying to be Britain's next Prime Minister to refrain from "hyping up the so-called 'China threat,'" as foreign relations with the Asian economic giant emerge as a key issue in the closely-fought leadership race.
Both former finance minister Rishi Sunak and his rival, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, have talked tough as they challenge for the top role, framing the United Kingdom as needing to defend its values against China's influence -- and Beijing has taken notice. read more
The Pope went to Canada to apologize. For some indigenous school survivors, he triggered more pain
Victoria McIntosh unfurls a little girl's white winter coat from her handbag and smooths it out on the table.
Her grandmother sewed it for her when she was four years old, she says, before she was sent to Fort Alexander residential school in the 1960s. But a nun took the coat from her, she remembers.
"That nun took it off of me and threw it at my mom," she told CNN. Then the nun called her mother a 'savage" -- an incident she said foreshadowed years of abuse. read more
Victoria McIntosh unfurls a little girl's white winter coat from her handbag and smooths it out on the table.
Her grandmother sewed it for her when she was four years old, she says, before she was sent to Fort Alexander residential school in the 1960s. But a nun took the coat from her, she remembers.
"That nun took it off of me and threw it at my mom," she told CNN. Then the nun called her mother a 'savage" -- an incident she said foreshadowed years of abuse. read more
Taiwan holds massive Han Kuang military drills as tensions with China build
In simulated scenes, a hostile enemy attempts to seize control of a key waterway close to the Taiwanese capital. Attacking from sea and air, the invading forces target the mouth of the Tamsui River on the island's northern coast -- a strategic estuary that provides direct access to the center of Taipei.
In response, Taiwan's military scrambles Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) jets and tanks, while ground troops detonate explosives to stop the advancement.
The scenes are part of the week-long Han Kuang exercises held across Taiwan and its outlying islands until Friday. The annual event has been running since 1984 and involves all branches of Taiwan's military -- including its reserve forces -- in an effort to boost overall defense capabilities. read more
In simulated scenes, a hostile enemy attempts to seize control of a key waterway close to the Taiwanese capital. Attacking from sea and air, the invading forces target the mouth of the Tamsui River on the island's northern coast -- a strategic estuary that provides direct access to the center of Taipei.
In response, Taiwan's military scrambles Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) jets and tanks, while ground troops detonate explosives to stop the advancement.
The scenes are part of the week-long Han Kuang exercises held across Taiwan and its outlying islands until Friday. The annual event has been running since 1984 and involves all branches of Taiwan's military -- including its reserve forces -- in an effort to boost overall defense capabilities. read more
British environmental scientist and creator of the Gaia theory James Lovelock dies at 103
James Lovelock, the British environmental scientist and creator of the Gaia theory, which hypothesizes Earth acts as a single living organism, has died at the age of 103.
Lovelock died on Tuesday "surrounded by his family on his 103rd birthday," a statement from his family released to the Guardian and shared on social media said. read more
James Lovelock, the British environmental scientist and creator of the Gaia theory, which hypothesizes Earth acts as a single living organism, has died at the age of 103.
Lovelock died on Tuesday "surrounded by his family on his 103rd birthday," a statement from his family released to the Guardian and shared on social media said. read more
Biden speaks with China's Xi as tension grows over Taiwan
President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping held a lengthy and candid discussion about Taiwan on Thursday as tensions mount between Washington and Beijing, despite Biden's onetime hope of stabilizing the world's most important country-to-country relationship.
The two leaders did agree to begin arrangements for a face-to-face summit, their first as Xi resists travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic. And certain areas of cooperation, including climate change, were hashed out.
But the Taiwan issue proved among the most contentious. The issue has emerged as a serious point of conflict, as US officials fear a more imminent Chinese move on the self-governing island and as a potential visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prompts warnings from Beijing and a concerted effort by the Biden administration to prevent tensions from spiraling out of control. read more
President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping held a lengthy and candid discussion about Taiwan on Thursday as tensions mount between Washington and Beijing, despite Biden's onetime hope of stabilizing the world's most important country-to-country relationship.
The two leaders did agree to begin arrangements for a face-to-face summit, their first as Xi resists travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic. And certain areas of cooperation, including climate change, were hashed out.
But the Taiwan issue proved among the most contentious. The issue has emerged as a serious point of conflict, as US officials fear a more imminent Chinese move on the self-governing island and as a potential visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prompts warnings from Beijing and a concerted effort by the Biden administration to prevent tensions from spiraling out of control. read more