Author: REUTERS

By REUTERS Kenyan riot police clashed with protesters demanding President William Ruto’s resignation following deadly anti-tax protests. Tear gas filled the streets of Nairobi as demonstrators voiced their anger over the soaring cost of living. In Mombasa, protesters chanted “Ruto must go!” and rejected his calls for dialogue, even after the abandoned tax rises that

Shanaz Saddique is part of a wave of pro-Palestinian candidates aiming to galvanize Muslim voters in Britain’s upcoming election on July 4th. This push comes in response to grievances over the major parties’ stances on the Gaza conflict. While both the ruling Conservatives and the resurgent Labour party have called for an end to hostilities in Gaza, they have also supported Israel’s right to defend itself. This has displeased many of the 3.9 million Muslims in the UK. Although pro-Palestinian candidates are unlikely to secure parliamentary seats, the “Muslim Vote” campaign seeks to send a powerful message through the ballot…

Sydney: New Zealand has taken a significant step towards addressing climate change and sustainability challenges by signing trade deals with Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Iceland. These agreements aim to remove tariffs on hundreds of environmental products, promoting a greener economy. Pleased to announce conclusion of negotiations on the groundbreaking Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability #ACCTS with Costa Rica 🇨🇷, Iceland 🇮🇸, and Switzerland 🇨🇭, which will deliver trade and environmental benefits! 🌏🤝For more info: https://t.co/T6NRI88dsI— Todd McClay (@toddmcclaymp) July 2, 2024 The Agreement on Climate Change, Trade, and Sustainability (ACCTS) is expected to benefit New Zealand’s wool industry…

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced his decision to resume negotiations with the United States ahead of the country’s presidential elections. Despite the re-imposition of sanctions by Washington, Maduro has accepted a proposal to restart direct talks to comply with previously signed agreements. In a televised broadcast, Maduro confirmed the restart of discussions with the U.S. government next Wednesday, which were initiated following a successful prisoner exchange deal in late 2023 mediated by Qatar. The Venezuelan official negotiator, Jorge Rodriguez, will lead the delegation for the talks, although specific topics for discussion have not been disclosed. The talks, which began…

Ten activists from the Cambodian environmental group Mother Nature have been found guilty of plotting against the government and insulting the king, according to the group’s founder. Five of the defendants were arrested outside the court in Phnom Penh immediately after the verdict was announced. Founder Alejandro Gonzales-Davidson, a Spanish national, stated that 10 members, including himself, were convicted of plotting against the government, with three also found guilty of insulting the king under Cambodia’s lese majeste laws. Gonzales-Davidson himself was found guilty in absentia after being deported almost a decade ago. Three members received eight-year jail sentences on both…

The US Supreme Court’s Landmark Decision Grants Presidential Immunity to Donald Trump In a groundbreaking ruling, the US Supreme Court declared that former President Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for actions carried out within his constitutional powers while in office. This 6-3 decision led by Chief Justice John Roberts acknowledged a form of immunity never before recognized at this level. Trump’s claim of immunity from federal criminal charges related to his attempt to overturn the 2020 election results was upheld by the conservative majority of the court, with dissent from the liberal justices. The decision, granting immunity for certain presidential…

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will emphasize the importance of voting for the Conservative Party in the upcoming election. He warns that voting for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK could hinder the chances of the Conservatives forming a strong opposition to Labour. Sunak acknowledges the challenges faced by his party in the wake of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the conflict in Ukraine. Opinion polls indicate a significant lead for Labour, with Reform potentially splitting the vote on the right and the Liberal Democrats further eroding Conservative support. In a rally, Sunak will argue that Reform UK lacks the capacity to…

By REUTERS Turkey is mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia regarding a port deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The negotiation aims to improve diplomatic relations between the two East African nations, strained when Ethiopia leased coastline from Somaliland in exchange for recognizing its independence. This move was met with opposition from Mogadishu, leading to the expulsion of the Ethiopian ambassador and threats to withdraw troops aiding in the fight against insurgents. Although the outcome of the talks is uncertain, there are doubts about a resolution due to Somalia’s firm stance. Turkey’s involvement in the region, providing security support and development…

The tech industry trade groups NetChoice and the CCIA challenged laws in Florida and Texas that aimed to regulate social media platforms. These laws would limit the platforms’ ability to moderate content, sparking a debate on free speech and censorship. The Supreme Court intervened, blocking the implementation of the laws in both states, acknowledging the complex issues at play. At the heart of the matter is whether the platforms have the right to editorial discretion in curating content to prevent spam, bullying, extremism, and hate speech. Republicans argue that social media platforms suppress conservative voices under the guise of moderation,…

Australia has recently made significant changes to its visa fees for international students, more than doubling the cost to $1,068 in an effort to manage the impact of record migration on the housing market. The increased fee, effective July 1, is part of a broader strategy to create a fairer and more manageable migration system. These adjustments come in response to a staggering 60% increase in net immigration to a record 548,800 people, further highlighting the need for stricter visa regulations. With the new fee, applying for a student visa in Australia now exceeds costs in competing countries like the…