Russia’s foreign minister rejects a US proposal to resume talks on nuclear arms control

MOSCOW — Russia’s top diplomat dismissed the United States proposal to resume a dialogue on nuclear arms control, saying Thursday that it’s impossible while Washington offers military support to Ukraine. Speaking at an annual news conference, Sergey Lavrov accused the West of fueling global security risks by encouraging Ukraine to ramp up strikes on the … Read more

France’s youngest prime minister holds 1st Cabinet meeting with ambition to get ‘quick results’

PARIS — France’s new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, held his first Cabinet meeting on Friday with one motto: “work, work, work,” according to President Emmanuel Macron’s office. The newly appointed Attal, 34, the youngest premier in France’s history, leads a relatively small team of 14 ministers who gathered at the presidential palace, the Elysee, around … Read more

Argentina announces it won’t join the BRICS alliance in Milei’s latest policy shift

BUENOS AIRES — Argentina formally announced Friday that it won’t join the BRICS bloc of developing economies, the latest in a dramatic shift in foreign and economic policy by Argentina’s new far-right populist President Javier Milei. In a letter addressed to the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — all members of … Read more

Argentina’s unions take to the streets to protest president’s cutbacks, deregulation and austerity

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Thousands of union members and activists took to the streets of Argentina’s capital Wednesday to protest a decree from President Javier Milei that imposes sweeping deregulation and austerity measures meant to revive the country’s struggling economy. Unions had asked a court for a prior injunction to block measures lifting some labor … Read more

North Korea’s Kim boasts of achievements as he opens key year-end political meeting

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised what he called achievements and victories that strengthened national power and boosted the country’s prestige this year, as he opened a key political meeting to set new policy goals for 2024, state media reported Wednesday. Experts said that during this week’s year-end plenary meeting … Read more

Greece to offer exclusive Acropolis visits outside of regular hours

ATHENS, Greece — Fancy seeing the ancient Acropolis uncluttered by thousands of selfie-snappers? A solution is in the works, but it will set you back up to 5,000 euros ($5,500). Starting April 1 2024, Greece plans to offer exclusive guided tours of its most powerful tourist magnet to handfuls of well-heeled visitors outside normal opening … Read more

Anger in remote parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir after 3 die while in the army’s custody

NEW DELHI — Anger spread in some remote parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir after three civilians died while in the army’s custody, officials and residents said Saturday. This comes two days after a militant ambush killed four soldiers. Locals said the Indian army detained at least eight civilians on Friday for questioning, a day after rebels … Read more

Angola is leaving OPEC oil cartel after 16 years after dispute over production cuts

LONDON — Angola announced Thursday that it’s leaving the OPEC oil producers cartel, coming after it battled with the group over lower production quotas this year. Diamantino de Azevedo, the African nation’s oil minister, said Angola “does not gain anything by remaining in the organization,” according to state news agency Angop. The country joined OPEC … Read more

Thousands protest Indigenous policies of New Zealand government as lawmakers are sworn in

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Thousands of protesters rallied against the New Zealand government’s Indigenous policies on Tuesday as the Parliament convened for the first time since October elections. Demonstrations in the capital, Wellington, and in about a dozen other New Zealand cities and towns were organized by the minor Maori Party, which advocates for the … Read more

Somalia president hails lifting of arms embargo as government vows to wipe out al-Shabab militants

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has welcomed the U.N. Security Council vote to lift an arms embargo imposed on the Horn of Africa nation more than 30 years ago ByOMAR FARUK Associated Press December 2, 2023, 2:51 AM FILE – Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during a plenary session at the COP28 U.N. Climate … Read more