All local workers, US diplomats to be fired from USAID, sources say
Washington DC, US Reuters Elon Musk’s cost-cutting team is finalising the dismantlement of the US Agency for International Development, ordering the firing of thousands of local workers and American diplomats and civil servants assigned to the agency overseas, two former top USAID officials and a source with knowledge of the situation said on Tuesday. On […]
US Supreme Court won’t let Trump withhold payment to foreign aid groups
Washington DC, US Reuters A divided US Supreme Court declined on Wednesday to let President Donald Trump’s administration withhold payment to foreign aid organisations for work they already performed for the government as the Republican president moves to pull the plug on American humanitarian projects around the world. Handing a setback to Trump, the court […]
“Nothing is lost in peace”: Pope Francis mobilising Vatican diplomats to quell a world war he says has begun
CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, reports on how Pope Francis and the Vatican are pursuing peace in the globe’s two major conflicts, working through official and unofficial channels…
Canadian PM says India’s actions making life hard for millions of people
Ottawa, Canada Reuters Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday the Indian Government’s crackdown on Canadian diplomats was making normal life difficult for millions of people in both countries. Trudeau spoke a day after Canada said it had withdrawn 41 diplomats following an Indian threat to unilaterally revoke their status. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau […]
Sri Lanka’s new President says non-violent protests can continue after crackdown
Colombo, Sri Lanka Reuters Sri Lanka’s new President Ranil Wickremesinghe told diplomats this week that non-violent protests against his government will be allowed to continue, including in the commercial capital Colombo, his office said in a statement on Sunday. In a pre-dawn raid on Friday, hundreds of security personnel dismantled part of an anti-government protest […]
On Ukraine visit, Blinken, Austin pledge return of US diplomats, more security aid
Updated: 9:40am (AEST) Poland Reuters Washington’s top diplomat and its defense chief used the first official US visit to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February to announce a gradual return of US diplomats including a new ambassador and over $US300 million in new military aid to Kyiv. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary […]
Vatican protests over expulsion of its ambassador to Nicaragua
Vatican City Reuters The Vatican on Saturday protested to Nicaragua over the effective expulsion of its ambassador to Managua, saying the unilateral action was unjustified and incomprehensible. Archbishop Waldemar Sommertag, who was ambassador since 2018, had to leave the country suddenly this week after the government of President Daniel Ortega withdrew its diplomatic approval of […]