Philippines summons China envoy over standoff, dares Beijing to seek arbitration
Manila, The Philippines Reuters The Philippines summoned China’s envoy on Monday to protest against “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea at the weekend, as Manila’s defence minister dared Beijing to bolster its vast sovereignty claims by taking them to international arbitration. The foreign ministry accused China’s coastguard of using water cannon against a civilian […]
Islamic State still a threat in Iraq, US ambassador says
Baghdad, Iraq Reuters The Islamic State still poses a threat in Iraq and the US-led military coalition’s work with Iraq to fully defeat the group is not done, United States Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski told Reuters in an interview. Senior Iraqi politicians, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, have repeatedly said that the group […]
South Korea’s medical professors join protests, reduce hours in practice
Seoul, South Korea Reuters Medical professors in South Korea said they will cut back on the hours they spend in practice starting on Monday to support trainee doctors on strike for more than a month over a government plan to boost medical school admissions. “It is clear that increasing medical school admissions will not only […]
Nigerian army rescues abducted Kaduna students
Maiduguri, Nigeria Reuters The Nigerian army on Sunday rescued students and staff who were abducted by gunmen from a school in the country’s north earlier this month, the military said, days before the deadline for a ransom payment. A boy holds a sign to protest against, what a teacher, local councillor and parents said, the […]
Harris pledges “reset” as he becomes Irish PM in waiting
Athlone, Ireland Reuters Simon Harris became Irish prime minister in waiting on Sunday, pledging to help small business, focus on law and order and tackle migration after his unopposed election to succeed Leo Varadkar as leader of the governing Fine Gael party. Harris, a 37-year-old minister best known for helping steer the country’s initial response […]
Argentines commemorate coup as Milei sows doubt about dictatorship past
Buenos Aires, Argentina Reuters Thousands of Argentines took to the streets around the country on Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of the 1976 military coup that lasted eight years and led to widespread repression, torture and disappearances. Several local and human rights groups gathered in Buenos Aires, waving banners, singing songs and carrying photos of […]
Policing the oceans: Somali pirates’ return adds to crisis for global shipping companies
GIULIA PARAVICINI, JONATHAN SAUL and ABDIQANI HASSAN, of Reuters, report on a resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia…
A Chinese pastor is released after seven years in prison, only to find himself unable to get an ID
Beijing, China AP Unable to buy a train ticket, or even see a doctor at a hospital, a Chinese pastor found that even after release from prison, he is not quite free. Rev John Sanqiang Cao was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison while coming back from a missionary trip in Myanmar. Now back in […]
Essay: Why would Islamic State attack Russia and what does this mean for the terrorism threat globally?
GREG BARTON, professor of global Islamic politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute in Australia, looks at the context for the mass shooting at a Moscow concert on Friday night…
The Explainer: What is Palm Sunday? Why is the donkey important to the story? And how is it celebrated worldwide?
As the world marked Palm Sunday on the weekend, LUIS ANDRES HENAO, of Associated Press, explains what the day is all about…