Sudan military chief freezes bank accounts of rival armed group in battle for control of the nation
Sudan’s military chief says he is freezing all bank accounts of a rival paramilitary force
2023-05-16 11:16
Ukraine war: Kyiv comes under missile attack
In video circulating on social media, air defence systems can be seen shooting down missiles.
2023-05-16 10:57
New Zealand Hostel Fire May Have Killed 10, Many Still Missing
A hostel fire in New Zealand’s capital city Wellington has claimed as many as 10 lives, with several
2023-05-16 10:51
Colombian rebel leader says peace talks are 'on pause'
Colombian rebel leader Pablo Beltran said on Tuesday that peace talks between his National Liberation Army and the government have been put “on pause” due to remarks made last week by President Gustavo Petro. Petro questioned whether members of the rebel group's delegation in Cuba could effectively control the actions of their own commanders on the battlefield. He also said the younger leaders of the group, known as the ELN, were motivated not by political goals, but by drug trafficking profits. In an interview published on Youtube by the ELN’s communication team, Beltran said that delegations from both sides would have to meet to “examine” the comments by Colombia's president before issues like a ceasefire and rural development schemes can continue to be discussed. The negotiations began in November and have failed to produce any major breakthroughs so far. The ELN was recognized as “an armed rebel group” by Colombia’s government during the last round of talks which took place in Mexico, a designation that enables it to seek policy changes in peace talks instead of just negotiating reduced sentences for their crimes. Beltran argued that Petro’s recent comments are putting its status as a “political organization” in jeopardy. “If they are saying one thing in the negotiations, while the president says another we feel like we are stuck in the middle,” Beltran said. “So we are asking for an explanation.” During a speech to military officers on Friday, Petro described members of the ELN’s peace delegation as “elderly” leaders who were interested in discussing political changes. But he questioned whether younger ELN commanders who lead troops on the ground have the same kind of goals. “They may use the same banners,” Petro said. “But what motivates them is (profiting from) illicit economies.” Petro added that elderly leaders like Beltran were “willing to sit down and talk. But are they really in charge?” The ELN was founded in the 1960s by union leaders, students and priests inspired by the Cuban revolution. It is Colombia’s largest remaining rebel group and has been notoriously difficult for previous Colombian governments to negotiate with. In 2016, Colombia’s government signed a peace deal with the larger FARC group that ended five decades of conflict in which an estimated 260,000 people were killed. But violence has continued to affect rural pockets of the country where the ELN has been fighting the Gulf Clan and FARC holdout groups for the control of drug trafficking routes and other resources. Petro promised during his presidential campaign that he would seek peace deals with all of Colombia’s major armed groups by rolling out a strategy he described as “total peace.” But the Gulf Clan recently gave up on the peace talks, while negotiations with FARC holdout groups are still in preliminary stages. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide
2023-05-16 10:26
DeSantis nears presidential campaign launch far from peak popularity but signaling a new readiness to take on Trump
Once seen as ascending toward a presidential campaign with momentum in his favor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis finds himself on the cusp of an announcement that many of his supporters wished was already behind him.
2023-05-16 10:22
Rudy Giuliani accused of sexual harassment by ex-employee
Donald Trump's former lawyer is accused of coercing an ex-employee into sex in a $10m civil case.
2023-05-16 10:19
Ukraine Latest: Explosions, Sirens Mark Latest Russian Attack
Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv early Tuesday, marking the eighth Russian attack on the capital this month.
2023-05-16 09:58
Biden plan to sell land leases for conservation gets pushback
More than a century after the U.S. started selling oil leases on public lands, the Biden administration is seeking to let conservationists lease government property to restore it
2023-05-16 09:56
US warns against crossing Mexico border illegally as Title 42 ends
By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. officials on Monday said there will be "tougher consequences" for migrants illegally crossing the
2023-05-16 09:53
US Virgin Islands seeks to subpoena Elon Musk in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit
The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands is asking a federal judge to help it serve billionaire Elon Musk with a subpoena for documents in its lawsuit seeking to hold JPMorgan Chase liable for sex trafficking acts committed by businessman Jeffrey Epstein
2023-05-16 09:46
China’s Central Bank Outlook Spurs Call for Monetary Action
The People’s Bank of China hinted Monday it will keep monetary policy supportive, prompting expectations it may cut
2023-05-16 09:46
Dallas mom killed by stray bullet while on her way to pick up daughter's prom dress during Mother's Day weekend
A mother in Dallas, Texas, was going to pick up a prom dress with her daughter when she was fatally shot by stray bullet -- just a day before Mother's Day.
2023-05-16 09:27