Richard Wanekeya, Correspondent (Sport) Defending champions New Zealand rammed in from behind to claim the HSBC Sevens World Series 2013/14 opener at the Gold Coast in Robina after beating hosts Australia 40-19 in the final. Trailing 12-0, it looked as though New Zealand was set for the third successive Main Cup final defeat at Skilled Park, but tries from debutant Ambrose Curtis, Tomasi Cama, David Raikuna, Waisake Naholo and Joe Webber assured a win for […]
Mark Green, Correspondent (Europe) PARIS — Diplomatic relations between France and the USA have become very tense over the past few days after the US ambassador was summoned to the French Foreign Ministry to explain his country’s actions. The tension has mounted since French newspaper Le Monde printed details leaked by former CIA employee Edward Snowden claiming that the US has been spying on huge amounts of French phone traffic. According to Le Monde, the […]
Steve Lambert Editor (Sport) The qualifying stages of the World Cup have come to a close and we now know the nine teams from Europe that are certain to be at the finals next year in Brazil. Meanwhile, another eight second-placed teams have been given a last chance to get through, having to wait until next month to compete in the play offs. In Group A, already champions Belgium had to make do with […]
Anissa Katti, Correspondent (Asia: Middle East & Central) GENEVA – The discussions surrounding the more than controversial Iranian nuclear plan have resumed on October 15 and 16. The five permanent countries (United States, United Kingdom, France, China and Russia) of the Security Council, Germany, the Iranian minister of Foreign Affairs (Javad Zarif) and the prime Iranian negotiator, regarding the nuclear question, were all present. This unfreezing of the political tensions surrounding the nuclear plan […]
Vaiva Seskeviciute, Correspondent (Sport) Although 24 teams entered EuroBasket 2013 with the goal of being declared the best in Europe, only three remain for the prestigious bronze, silver and gold titles. For the first time in European basketball history, France is the continental champion after winning the gold-medal game on September 22 in EuroBasket 2013 thus leaving Lithuania and Spain in the second and third position respectively. Tony Parker finally has an international title […]
Lais Fulgencio, Editor (South America) Two of the 30 Greenpeace activists, Brazilian biologist Ana Paula Maciel and a British cameraman, were formally charged on September 2 this week for piracy, according to Greenpeace lawyer Mikhail Kreindlin. The two activists were detained in Russia for organising a protest at a Russian oil platform in the Arctic and are the only two accused of piracy by the Russian authorities for now. If convicted, they face up to 15 […]
Virginia Bonet Morell, Editor (Europe) BARCELONA — On the Catalonian regional bank holiday, the Diada celebrated the 11th of September. Around 1.6 million people linked arms forming a 400km human chain that demanded independence from Spain. This rally ran through the Catalonian coast from North to South, however it also occupied part of the Northern Valencia region, in particular, down to the small town of Vinarós in Castellón. The previous day, the Regional President […]
Alejandro Faini, Editor (North America) WASHINGTON DC — Syria has become the main topic in the international community and hugely influential in the United States. John Kerry and the entire Obama cabinet have been pushing inside and outside of the US for an initiative to attack the Syrian army as a “punishment” for the use of Chemical Weapons, despite the different flaws and differences in the investigations lead by the US and its allies. A day […]
Virginia Bonet Morell, Correspondent (Europe) VATICAN CITY - Last Sunday, Pope Francis commented on the situation of the war in Syria during the traditional weekly blessing in the Vatican City. In front of thousands of pilgrims, he condemned the use of chemical weapons and called for negotiations between the two sides of the civil war. Finally, he declared that he would lead a worldwide day of fasting and prayer for peace on September […]
Mati Maravanyika, Editor (Africa) MALI—Mali’s elections have given the torn nation hope after a coup last year led to chaos and havoc largely because of Islamist insurgents. The Presidential race is between Ibrahim Boubacar, former Prime Minister and Soumaila Cisse, former Finance Minister. Keita received 40% of votes during the first round wile Cisse received 20% of the vote. Keita is well known because he ran for Presidency in 2002 and 2007 but unfortunately […]
