International

Iraqi president urges end to ‘escalation’ after days of deadly protests

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — Iraq’s president called Monday for a “halt to escalation” after widespread protests that killed dozens, including an overnight rally in east Baghdad in which the military admitted using “excessive force”. Demonstrations have rocked the capital and Iraq’s southern provinces since Tuesday, first demanding reforms to fight corruption and unemployment but ramping up to calls for a total overhaul of the country’s political system. In a televised address, President Barham Salih appealed […]

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Trump urges ‘humane solution’ in Hong Kong

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Monday urged a “humane solution” in Hong Kong but noted that the crowds protesting against Chinese authorities were smaller than before. “We just want to see a humane solution,” Trump said in comments to reporters. “I think they have to do that in a peaceful manner.” He remarked on the “great people over there” and said, “they’re flying the American flag.” But Trump avoided expressing […]

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First Hong Kongers appear in court for defying mask ban

by Jerome TAYLOR / Pak YIU HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong democracy protesters arrested for defying a new face mask ban appeared in court on Monday following a violent weekend of unrest which saw bloody clashes with police and widespread vandalism that crippled the city’s train network. The international finance hub convulsed with three straight days of rallies and riots after the city’s pro-Beijing leader invoked colonial-era emergency powers to ban face coverings […]

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North Korea boat collides with Japan sea patrol

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A North Korean boat collided with a Japanese fisheries agency patrol vessel in the Sea of Japan Monday, sending around 20 North Koreans overboard, the coast guard said. “We are dispatching rescue boats and aircraft to the area, but we don’t know any more details about it,” Japan coast guard spokesman Kazuma Nohara told AFP. The North Korean boat was believed to be a fishing vessel, which reportedly capsized partially after […]

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France admits ‘failings’ over Paris police attacker’s radicalization

by Gregory DANEL / Alice LEFEBVRE PARIS, France (AFP) — France’s interior minister acknowledged Sunday that officials should have kept a closer eye on the Paris police employee who stabbed four colleagues to death last week, after investigators found evidence he had supported an extreme version of Islam. “Obviously, there were failings,” Christophe Castaner told TF1 television, but he said he would not resign over the matter as some rightwing opponents have said he should. […]

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Eight protesters dead in Iraq capital clashes: medics, security sources

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — Eight protesters were killed in new clashes with security forces in an eastern district of the Iraqi capital on Sunday, medics and security sources told AFP. Demonstrators in several parts of Baghdad’s Shiite stronghold of Sadr City burned tyres and launched fireworks towards the police amassed there, witnesses said, and shots were also heard in the area. The interior ministry had earlier said 104 people were killed, including eight members of […]

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Second Trump whistleblower comes forward with first-hand information: lawyer

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A second whistleblower has come forward, this one with first-hand information about events that triggered an impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump for alleged abuse of power, the informant’s lawyer said Sunday. “I can confirm this report of a second #whistleblower being represented by our legal team,” Mark Zaid said on Twitter. “They also made a protected disclosure under the law and cannot be retaliated against. This WBer has first-hand […]

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Israeli minister seeks ‘non-aggression’ pacts with Gulf Arab nations

  JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking “non-aggression” agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognize the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals. Details of the proposal were not made public, but it was the latest sign of Israel’s push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations. Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory has long […]

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North Korea says no talks unless US stops hostile policies

  SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea said Sunday it has “no desire” to continue nuclear talks unless the United States takes steps to end hostilities, a day after negotiations in Sweden broke down. The discussions in Sweden followed months of stalemate following a February meeting between the North’s leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, and came after Pyongyang’s defiant test of a sea-launched ballistic missile on Wednesday. The North walked away […]

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Police fire tear gas as large crowds defy Hong Kong mask ban

by Jerome Taylor / Jasmine Leung  HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong police fired tear gas at pro-democracy protesters on Sunday after tens of thousands hit the streets once more to defy a ban on face masks despite half the city’s subway stations remaining closed. Large crowds marched through torrential rain in unsanctioned rallies on both sides of Victoria Harbour while police battled protesters in multiple locations, plunging the finance hub into chaos once […]

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Jordan teachers end strike in pay deal with government

  AMMAN, Jordan (AFP) — Jordanian teachers ended a month-long strike on Sunday after reaching an agreement with the government for a rise in wages. The strike, which began on September 8 just a week into the school year, paralysed some 4,000 public schools in the kingdom where more than 1.4 million students are enrolled. The teachers had demanded a 50-percent hike in their salaries, “the lowest among state employees,” according to the union. Union […]

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NBA’s Rockets try to calm storm after ‘stand with Hong Kong’ post

  TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The Houston Rockets tried Sunday to distance the NBA team, who have a huge Chinese fan base, from general manager Daryl Morey’s tweet supporting the Hong Kong protests as it sparked a backlash in China. Head coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters in Tokyo that he “doesn’t feel comfortable” commenting on Morey’s tweet, which featured an image with the message “Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong”. The tweet was posted […]

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