POLITICS
As tensions escalate, Cruz calls Trump a ‘sniveling coward’
Republican U.S. presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz (L) looks on as businessman Donald Trump speaks at the Republican U.S. presidential candidates debate sponsored by CBS News and the Republican National Committee in Greenville, South Carolina February 13, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst The feud between Republican...
New Zealand flag referendum set to reveal result
New Zealanders are waiting to hear whether they will have a new flag, as a referendum on whether to replace their existing one draws to a close. The postal vote closed at 19:00 local time (06:00 GMT) with a preliminary result to be announced shortly. The existing design features the British Union Flag, a legacy of New...
Iraqi army starts offensive in region around Mosul, State TV says
Iraq's armed forces started an offensive against Islamic State on Thursday in the region around Mosul with air cover from the U.S.-led coalition, pushing the militants out of several villages, according to a military statement read on state TV. The offensive is the first phase of an operation that the Iraqi government aims...
It’s advantage Trump after Brussels terror attack
More than half the states have voted and the presidential candidates are entering the home stretch of the nominating gantlet. But up to now, they have been ignoring a mighty special interest: events. Events have a vote, as the terrorist attacks that rocked Brussels reminded us. The bloody strike at the heart of Europe, not far...
Primary results: Front-runners score key Western victories
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton notched convincing victories in Arizona, picking up the biggest prize on Western Tuesday that moved the front-runners ever closer to a general election clash. The Arizona wins handed enough delegates to Trump and Clinton to help them maintain their leads in the delegate count despite victories...
Trump, Clinton win Arizona prize; rivals notch projected victories in Utah, Idaho
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton padded their delegate totals with convincing wins in the valuable Arizona primary Tuesday night – but their respective rivals, Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders, kept the race alive with victories in the Utah and Idaho caucuses. The Associated Press projected Vermont Sen. Sanders and Texas Sen....
Rob Ford, Toronto ex-mayor, dies aged 46 from cancer
Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has died at the age of 46 after fighting cancer, his family has said. Mr Ford, who battled drug and alcohol addiction, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2014. He gained international notoriety after admitting smoking crack cocaine in 2013, but he was loved by supporters. "A dedicated...
Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko given 22-year sentence
A Ukrainian pilot has been found guilty in Russia of charges relating to the deaths of two Russian journalists. Nadiya Savchenko was sentenced to 22 years in jail after being convicted of directing artillery fire which killed them in eastern Ukraine in June 2014. She burst into a folk-style protest song in the courtroom as she...
Trump: Israel will have to pay back the military assistance
Prior to AIPAC speech, Republican frontrunner hints he would ask Israel to pay back the military assistance it receives from the States. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hinted on Monday that, if elected president, he would force Israel to pay back the military assistance it has received from the United States....
Donald Trump’s spending on White House race nears $25 million
Donald Trump, the billionaire businessman, remains the biggest financial investor in Donald Trump, the front-running candidate for the GOP presidential nomination. The real-estate magnate lent his presidential campaign another $6.85 million last month, bringing the total Trump-to-Trump loan amount to $24.38 million. Those...
Turkey blames Islamic State for Istanbul bombing
The suicide bomber who killed four people in Istanbul's main shopping street belonged to so-called Islamic State (IS), the interior minister says. Efken Ala named the man as Mehmet Ozturk. He told reporters that five people had been questioned so far. Mr Ala announced a review of security measures in seven Turkish provinces...
Barack Obama to meet Raul Castro on historic visit
President Barack Obama will make history on Sunday when he flies to Cuba to visit the island and hold talks with its communist leader. The two-day visit will be the first by a sitting US president since Calvin Coolidge went 88 years ago. Mr Obama will meet President Raul Castro — but not retired revolutionary leader Fidel...