Morocco PM’s petrol business at centre of dispute

petrol

Soaring fuel prices in Morocco have re-ignited a debate over the tension between business and politics, with billionaire petrol entrepreneur Aziz Akhannouch, who is also the prime minister, at the centre. Last week, for the first time since the crisis in Ukraine caused a global spike in petroleum prices, Akhannouch had to explain to parliament … Read more

Slovenians vote in divisive elections

elections

Slovenians voted in parliamentary elections on Sunday, with conservative Prime Minister Janez Jansa facing up against a political novice in the polarised EU country. Jansa, 63, an ally of nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and admirer of US ex-president Donald Trump, is polling head-to-head with Robert Golob, formerly a solar power entrepreneur. Sporting a tie in … Read more

UK MPs slam ‘misogynistic’ article on Labour deputy leader

Angela Rayner

Boris Johnson and UK MPs slammed a tabloid report on Sunday that suggested Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner crossed and uncrossed her legs during parliamentary debates to throw the prime minister off his stride. The Mail on Sunday said that anonymous Conservative MPs “have mischievously suggested that Ms Rayner likes to distract the PM when … Read more

UN chief discusses Jerusalem tensions with Israeli, Palestinian leaders

Palestine

In separate calls with the Israeli prime minister and the Palestinian president on Saturday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reviewed the continuous escalation of tensions around Jerusalem’s sacred sites. In statements released after both calls, the UN said Guterres discussed “efforts to lower tensions, end provocations and unilateral steps, and restore calm”. More than 200 … Read more

UN calls for ‘stop’ in fighting to allow Mariupol evacuation

Mariupol

Amin Awad, the UN’s Ukraine crisis coordinator, called for a “immediate stop” to combat in Mariupol on Sunday to allow residents trapped in the damaged city to be evacuated “today.” “The lives of tens of thousands, including women, children and older people, are at stake in Mariupol,” Awad said in a statement. “We need a pause … Read more

Israel says committed to status quo at Jerusalem holy site

israel

Yair Lapid, Israel’s foreign minister, stated on Sunday that Israel was “committed” to the status quo, which forbids Jews from praying at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, which has been the site of recurrent riots. His comments follow violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories that has killed 38 people since late March, … Read more

Cake and Kalashnikovs: Ukraine marks grim Orthodox Easter

ukraine

Two months after Russia’s invasion, Ukrainians celebrated a solemn Orthodox Easter on Sunday, with many braving the bombardment for blessings and others lamenting the loss of loved ones. Soldiers greeted one other with “Christ has risen!” at a military position on the frontline in the eastern town of Lyman. Policemen arrived at the town’s small … Read more

Sri Lanka students mob PM’s home over economic crisis

Sri Lanka

Thousands of Sri Lankan university students gathered on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s home on Sunday, calling for his resignation as the island nation’s economic crisis worsened. Months of long blackouts, record inflation, and severe food and fuel shortages have fueled rising public discontent in Sri Lanka, which is experiencing its worst economic collapse since 1948. … Read more

Nigerian oil blast kills at least 80

kill

At least 80 people have been killed in an explosion at an illegal oil refinery in southern Nigeria, according to emergency services, as calls mount for the government to crack down on theft. According to police, the explosion happened late Friday at an unauthorised facility between the southern oil states of Rivers and Imo. “We … Read more

‘Bleed us dry’: Why tech platforms are facing rebellions

business

When Jak discovered Etsy, an online marketplace for small merchants to sell handmade things, it seemed like the perfect match: a software platform for small traders to sell handcrafted items that promised to be a creative outlet as well as a lucrative business. Five years later, Jak is one of thousands in open rebellion against … Read more

Clashes kill eight in Sudan’s Darfur: aid group

kill

Eight people have been murdered and 16 have been injured in clashes between Arab tribesmen and ethnic minority farmers in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur area, according to an aid agency. Armed Arab tribesmen attacked villages of the non-Arab Massalit minority in Krink, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the West Darfur state capital of Geneina, in … Read more

Viral: A Lioness is surrounded by buffaloes, Watch as she runs for her life

viral

Buffaloes are known to be one of lions’ favorite foods. Because buffaloes are large animals with a lot of flesh, if lions can hunt one, they won’t have to hunt for another five days. A buffalo, on the other hand, is a difficult prey for lionesses who hunt for their pride. While hunting, we’ve seen … Read more

Cat Plays Fruit Ninja on Tablet, Then something Happens. Watch

cat

A cute video of a sweet little kitty playing a game on a tablet is going viral on social media. The video was posted to twitter by ‘Yoda4ever,’ who captioned it, “Ninja kitty got a little carried away…” and Netizens Call It Cuteness Overload Watch When the fruits begin to fall quicker, the cat begins … Read more

Zelensky calls for meeting with Putin ‘to end the war

zelensky

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to “put a end to the war.” “I think that whoever started this war will be able to put an end to it,” he said during a news conference in the Ukrainian capital’s metro station, adding that he was “not … Read more

French in North America queue for a vote ‘too important’ to miss

canada

With the stakes so high in France’s second-round presidential election, many French residents in the United States and Canada went to the polls on Saturday, a day before their fellow countrymen. Emmanuel Macron, the centrist incumbent, and Marine Le Pen, the far-right opponent, have fought a contentious campaign, and the outcome on Sunday is anticipated … Read more

Russia vows bigger Ukraine assault as UN documents killings

russia

As the UN documented dozens of civilians killed in one town, Russia declared it planned a full-bore attack to carve off a large chunk of Ukraine. Kyiv swore to fight to save the country. The Ukrainian government said its besieged forces were still holding out inside a huge steelworks in the ravaged port city of … Read more

Hopes wane for Ukraine Easter truce as Russia presses campaign

easter

As talks between Moscow and Kyiv faltered, hopes for a weekend truce in Ukraine to celebrate Orthodox Easter dimmed. Russia declared it planned to take full control of its neighbor’s east and south. The war enters its third month on Sunday but a senior Russian military officer said “the second phase of the special operation” … Read more