Tehran (AFP) May 20, 2024 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was declared dead on Monday after rescue teams found his crashed helicopter in a fog-shrouded western mountain region, sparking mourning in the Islamic republic. "The servant of the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has achieved the highest level of martyrdom while serving...

Vienna (AFP) May 20, 2024 The UN nuclear watchdog on Monday called for "vigilance" against trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material, saying it has recorded more than 4,200 thefts or other incidents over the past 30 years. Last year, 31 countries reported 168 incidents "in line with historical averages", the International Atomic...

Beijing (AFP) May 20, 2024 Chinese social media Weibo on Monday blocked hashtags referencing the inauguration of Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te, preventing them from trending as the self-ruled island swore in a new leader. A hashtag saying "Taiwan 520 new authorities take office", referring to Monday's date, was removed, with a notice...

Beijing (AFP) May 20, 2024 China warned on Monday that efforts towards independence for Taiwan were a "dead end" after the island swore in new President Lai Ching-te. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has long threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. It has described Lai as a "dangerous separatist"...

Kinmen, Taiwan (AFP) May 18, 2024 Standing on the shore of Taiwan's Kinmen island, Taiwanese tourists snap photos of the skyline of China's Xiamen city that is clearly visible across the sliver of water separating them. For the best view of Xiamen's skyscrapers, visitors stand on a beach where anti-landing spikes jut out - a reminder of when...

Washington DC (UPI) May 19, 2024 U.S. forces will withdraw from Niger by mid-September, their two militaries said Sunday, as U.S. officials voice optimism that military and diplomatic relations between the two countries can be reforged in the weeks and months to come. The withdrawal, which has already begun, is to be completed no later than...