Stars, heads of state, solemn rituals and high-security celebrations for Notre Dame’s reopening
Paris, France AP The reopening of Notre Dame this coming weekend is going to be a high-security affair, with a repeat of some measures used during the Paris Olympics and the sealing-off to tourists of the cathedral’s island location in the heart of the French capital. After more than five years of reconstruction following the fire that devastated Notre Dame in […]
Flotilla on Seine, rain and Celine Dion mark start of Paris Olympics
Updated: 8am (AEST) Paris, France Reuters French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Olympic Games open on Friday after a soaking wet ceremony in which athletes were cheered by the crowd along the Seine, dancers took to the roofs of Paris and Lady Gaga sang a French cabaret song. France’s three-time Olympic gold medallists Marie-Jose Perec […]
Paris to kick off 2024 Games under tight security
Paris, France Reuters France aims to wow the world on Friday with an extravagant Olympics opening ceremony through the heart of Paris, officially kicking off a Games fraught with security risks at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. Some 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers and 2,000 private security staff will ensure the safety of the parade […]
Year of elections: How polls around the world are set to reshape global politics
MARK JOHN, SUMANTA SEN and ANAND KATAKAM, of Reuters, report on some of the key issues at play in elections taking place around the world this year…
High costs, safety worries hurt Paris Games bookings
London, UK/New York, US Reuters Spiralling travel and accommodation costs, French political tumult and security concerns are discouraging many sports fans and visitors from attending the Paris Olympic Games this summer. Cities that win a coveted chance to host the world’s biggest sporting event often do so on expectations that they will attract throngs of […]
Kenyan police arrival in Haiti marks new era for security, Prime Minister tells UN
United Nations Reuters Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the arrival of the first Kenyan police officers under a UN-backed mission marked a critical stage to restoring security in a country ravaged by gang violence. “The arrival of the first contingent of the Multinational Security Support kicks off […]
Postcards: Hardship, insecurity cloud Nigeria President’s first year in office
MACDONALD DZIRUTWE and ABRAHAM ACHIRGA, of Reuters, report…
Ecuador President decrees state of emergency in five provinces
Quito, Ecuador Reuters Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa on Tuesday decreed a state of emergency in five coastal provinces because of “internal armed conflict”. The measure marks the second security-based emergency declaration by Noboa, who took office in November on promises to turn around a deteriorating security situation that has led to a spike in violent […]
Eurovision Song Contest host Sweden braces for anti-Israel protests
Malmo, Sweden Reuters Sweden said it plans to host a dazzling Eurovision Song Contest, watched by 200 million people worldwide, but visitors face heightened security amid planned protests over Israel’s participation and a new geo-political backdrop since Sweden joined NATO. The contest, the world’s biggest of its kind, takes place in Malmo from 7th to […]
Ecuador’s President Noboa seeks approval for security measures in Sunday vote
Quito, Ecaudor Reuters Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa is seeking voter support on Sunday for a raft of security measures in a national referendum, as he battles spiking violence that has made international headlines and left a man dead even as voters went to the polls. Ecuador’s prisons agency said on Sunday afternoon that the director […]