Sawt Falasteen - Politics

Blast at Chinese restaurant in Kabul kills 7

A blast at a Chinese restaurant in central Kabul on Monday killed at least seven people and wounded more than a dozen others, emergency services said.

Guatemalans call for iron fist over surge in gang violence

Guatemalans on Monday called for an iron fist to stamp out gang violence after the murder of nine police officers and riots in several prisons, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency.

Colombian paramilitary-turned-peace-envoy sentenced over atrocities

A Colombian ex-paramilitary leader, who was appointed a peace negotiator by President Gustavo Petro, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Monday for murders and other crimes committed at the height of the country's armed conflict.

Syria says Sharaa, Trump discuss Kurdish rights as forces deploy in country's north, east

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump discussed guaranteeing Kurdish rights in a phone call on Monday, Syria's presidency said, a day after Damascus reached a deal with Kurdish forces including a truce.

Allies tepid on Trump 'peace board' with $1bn permanent member fee

Key allies reacted coolly Monday to US President Donald Trump's invite to pay $1.0 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" for resolving international conflicts, with analysts likening it to a pay-to-play version of the UN Security Council.

France PM to force budget into law, concedes 'partial failure'

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed on Monday he would ram his budget bill through parliament without a vote, conceding it was a "partial failure", after weeks of stalled negotiations.

Iran warns protesters who joined 'riots' to surrender

Iran's top police officer issued an ultimatum on Monday to protesters who joined what authorities have deemed "riots", saying they must hand themselves in within three days or face the full force of the law.

Central African Republic top court says Touadera won 78% of vote

Faustin Archange Touadera, who has led the Central African Republic since 2016, was re-elected for a third term as president in last month's election with 78 percent of the vote, the constitutional court said Monday, announcing final results.

Trump tariff threat has global investors running for cover

International investors bought heavily into precious metals while switching out of stocks Monday in a flight to safety after US President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs over opposition to his Greenland plans.

Trump says not thinking 'purely of peace' in Greenland push

Donald Trump no longer needs to think "purely of peace" after being snubbed for a Nobel, the US president said in comments published Monday, adding the world will not be safe until Washington controls Greenland.

Syria's Kurds feel disappointed, abandoned by US after Damascus deal

Residents of the Kurdish Syrian city of Qamishli voiced disillusionment on Monday after a deal with Damascus struck a fatal blow to their long-held aspirations of autonomy, with some accusing the United States of abandoning them.

Syria offensive leaves Turkey's Kurds on edge

Turkey's Kurds are hoping that Ankara's bid to end the decades-long PKK conflict won't be hurt by Damascus' lightning offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria that was backed by Turkey.

Ivory Coast faces unusual pile-up of cocoa at export hubs

At a warehouse in western Ivory Coast the backlog of cocoa beans waiting to be shipped has grown so big the storage site can barely accept another sack.

What is Trump's 'Board of Peace'?

US President Donald Trump's government has asked countries to pay $1 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts, according to its charter seen by AFP.

Syrian army deploys in former Kurdish-held areas under ceasefire deal

Syria's army deployed in formerly Kurdish-led areas in the country's east and north on Monday after a ceasefire announced a day earlier, as Syria's president and the Kurds' leader were set to hold talks.

Trump to charge $1bn for permanent 'peace board' membership: reports

US President Donald Trump's government has asked countries to pay $1 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts, according to US media reports.

Trump says world 'not secure' until US has Greenland

Donald Trump no longer needs to think "purely of peace" after being snubbed for a Nobel, the US president said in comments published Monday, adding the world will not be safe until Washington controls Greenland.

Japan PM calls snap election on Feb 8 to seek stronger mandate

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday she would dissolve parliament this week ahead of a snap election on February 8, hoping for a stronger mandate to push through her ambitious policy agenda.

What is the EU's anti-coercion 'bazooka' it could use against US?

Calls are growing louder for the European Union to deploy its powerful "anti-coercion instrument" in response to US President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs in the standoff over Greenland.

Gold, silver hit peaks and stocks sink on new US-EU trade fears

Gold and silver hit record highs on Monday while equity markets fell after Donald Trump revived trade war fears by threatening several European nations with tariffs over their opposition to the United States buying Greenland.

Japan PM to call snap election seeking stronger mandate

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will officially announce Monday her plans to dissolve parliament for a snap election, media reports said, hoping for a stronger mandate to push through her ambitious policy agenda.

South Korea, Italy agree to deepen AI, defence cooperation

South Korea and Italy agreed Monday to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, space and the defence industry, pledging to confront "global challenges" at a bilateral summit in Seoul.

Vietnam begins Communist Party congress to pick leaders

Vietnam's ruling Communist Party convened Monday to begin their twice-a-decade congress, where leader To Lam is looking to tighten his grip on power less than two years after assuming the top role.

Gold, silver hit records and stocks fall as Trump fans trade fears

Gold and silver hit record highs Monday while most equity markets fell after Donald Trump revived trade war fears by threatening several European nations with tariffs over their opposition to the United States buying Greenland.

Guatemala declares state of emergency against gangs after prison standoff ended

Guatemala's president on Sunday declared a 30-day nationwide state of emergency to combat criminal gangs after authorities accused the groups of killing eight police officers and holding hostages at three prisons.

Socialist to face far-right candidate for Portugal's presidency

Portugal's socialist candidate won the first round of the presidential election and will face the far-right candidate in the second round, near-complete results showed Sunday.

Syria's leader agrees truce with Kurds after govt troops advance

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday announced a deal with the chief of Kurdish-led forces that includes a ceasefire, after government troops advanced across Kurdish-held areas of the country's north and east.

Trump admin orders 1,500 troops to prepare for possible Minnesota deployment

The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 US soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown, US media reported Sunday.

Limited internet briefly returns in Iran after protest blackout

Limited internet access briefly returned in Iran before dropping again, a monitor said Sunday, 10 days into a communications blackout that rights groups said aimed to mask a protest crackdown that killed thousands.

Gang members in Guatemala kill seven police after prison crackdown: minister

Guatemala's interior minister accused gangs of killing seven police on Sunday in retaliation for the government's refusal to transfer gang leaders to a lower-security prison.

Limited internet returns in Iran after protest blackout

Limited internet access has returned in Iran, a monitor said Sunday, 10 days after authorities imposed a communications blackout that rights groups have said was aimed at masking a violent protest crackdown that killed thousands.

Syria's leader agrees truce deal with Kurds after govt troops advance