International Desk
Defendant Trump slams criminal charges as 'insult to our country'
Donald Trump offered a full-throated defense of his conduct Tuesday in his first public remarks since being charged over hush money payments to a porn star, blasting the criminal prosecution as "an insult to our country."
Rahul Gandhi avoids prison as he appeals defamation verdict
A court on Monday suspended a two-year prison sentence for Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi as he appeals his criminal conviction for mocking the prime minister’s surname which resulted in his expulsion from Parliament, dealing a huge blow to his Congress party ahead of general elections next year, reports AP.
Afghan Taliban raid kills 6 members of Islamic State group
An overnight raid by Taliban forces in Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province killed six members of the extremist Islamic State group, a Taliban spokesman said on Tuesday.
Trump to surrender today: First former US president to face criminal charges
An extraordinary moment in U.S. history is scheduled to unfold in a Manhattan courthouse today: Former President Donald Trump, who faces multiple election-related investigations, will surrender to face criminal charges stemming from 2016 hush money payments.
Finland joins NATO as Russian war prompts shift
Finland becomes the 31st member of NATO on Tuesday, in a historic strategic shift provoked by Moscow's war on Ukraine, which doubles the US-led alliance's border with Russia, reports AFP.
Indian court pauses Rahul Gandhi's 2-year sentence
The hearing in the case challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the 2019 defamation case will next be held on May 3 at the Surat District and Sessions Court, which on Monday extended his bail till April 13. After the Surat court's verdict, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as MP from Lok Sabha.
Trump to fly to New York for court surrender amid tight security
Former US President Donald Trump is set to fly from Florida to New York City on Monday, ahead of his scheduled arraignment related to hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election, as security tightens in Manhattan.
Russia's wagner group claims capture of Ukraine's Bakhmut 'in a legal sense'
The head of Russia's Wagner private military company on Monday claimed the capture of the east Ukraine town of Bakhmut "in a legal sense", saying the city administration building was under Russian control, reports AFP.
National Coalition Party wins parliamentary elections in Finland
The vote counting process at Finland's parliamentary elections was completed overnight on April 3 with the victory of the National Coalition Party, the Finnish Ministry of Justice reported after 100% of ballots had been counted, reports TASS.
Biden's strategic silence on Trump may be tested in days ahead
When Joe Biden was asked on Friday morning about the impact that the indictment of his White House predecessor and political rival Donald Trump would have on America, the US president had an emphatic response: no comment.
Zelensky says Bucha must become 'symbol of justice'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday called for Bucha to become a "symbol of justice" on the one-year anniversary of Russia's withdrawal from the town now synonymous with war crimes allegations, reports AFP.
Trump 'shocked' by indictment but 'ready to fight'
Donald Trump's legal team went on the offensive on Friday following his historic indictment, vowing the former president would never seek a plea deal and was ready "to fight" all charges.
Trump indicted, first US president to face criminal charges
A New York grand jury indicted Donald Trump on Thursday over hush-money payments made to a porn star during his 2016 campaign, making him the first former US president to face criminal charges.
Charles III in Germany for first foreign trip as king
Britain's Charles III began his first state visit as king on Wednesday, arriving in Germany for a trip billed as "an important European gesture" to maintain strong ties after Brexit, reports AFP.
Biden starts democracy summit with $690M pledge for programs
President Joe Biden is opening his second Summit for Democracy with a pledge for the U.S. to spend $690 million bolstering democracy programs around the globe.