BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi’s cabinet issued a series of reforms early Sunday after an “extraordinary” session overnight in response to sweeping anti-government rallies that have left nearly 100 dead. Iraqis have gathered in Baghdad and across the south since Tuesday to demand widespread government reforms, which Abdel Mahdi had promised to tackle when he came into power just under a year ago. Early Sunday, his cabinet issued a […]
International
Hong Kong protesters defy mask ban as city grinds to halt
by Jerome TAYLOR / Yan ZHAO Agence France Presse HONG KONG, CHINA (AFP) — Masked pro-democracy protesters marched through Hong Kong in defiance of a ban on face coverings as much of the city ground to a halt on Saturday, with the subway suspended and many shops shuttered following another night of violence. Thousands of protesters staged unsanctioned marches and flashmob protests at multiple locations, a day after the city’s leader outlawed face coverings at […]
North Korean, US officials to resume nuclear talks after latest missile test
by Tom LITTLE Agence France Presse STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) — North Korean and US officials on Saturday were set to resume nuclear talks in Stockholm after months of deadlock and Pyongyang’s defiant test of a sea-launched ballistic missile this week. North Korea’s Kim Myong Gil and Stephen Biegun, the special envoy of US President Donald Trump, are part of the teams at an island off Stockholm. The first cars with tinted windows started arriving […]
Ten killed in minibus-lorry collision in Romania
BUCHAREST, Romania (AFP) — Ten people were killed and seven injured on Saturday when a lorry collided with a minibus in eastern Romania, the country with the highest level of road deaths in the EU, police said. Nine of the 16 people on the minibus and the driver of the truck died in the accident, one of the most serious in the country where the poor state of the roads is a concern for motorists. […]
Hong Kong leader condemns rioters, says everyone ‘scared’
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong’s embattled leader on Saturday condemned pro-democracy protesters who trashed subway stations and shops the night before as “rioters” who had left much of the strife-torn city frightened and paralyzed. “The extreme actions of rioters created a very dark night for Hong Kong and made Hong Kong society semi-paralyzed today,” chief executive Carrie Lam said in a video statement. “Everyone is very worried and concerned, or even scared. “Extremely […]
Trump to block immigrants unable to pay for healthcare
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US will block the entry of immigrants without health insurance or the ability to pay for medical bills, President Donald Trump revealed Friday. Consular officers will only be allowed to issue visas to prospective immigrants who can prove they “will not impose a substantial burden” on the US health care system, according to a proclamation authored by Trump. “Lawful immigrants are about three times more likely than United States […]
Watch: More Russian students studying Tagalog at Moscow State University, say they admire President Duterte
(Eagle News) — In this video taken by Eagle News Service correspondent in Russia, Emy Coloma, more Russian students express their love for the Filipino language. These three students interviewed by Eagle News Service in Moscow are taking up studies on the Tagalog language at the Moscow State University. They said they love the Filipino language and also expressed their admiration for Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. They, however, missed the chance to take a picture […]
Iraq protest toll reaches 60 dead, including 18 in Baghdad: authorities
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — At least 60 people have died over four days of bloody protest across Iraq, the Iraqi Human Rights Commission said late Friday, in figures that include 18 deaths registered at a single hospital in the capital Baghdad. The Commission did not specify how many were civilians or security forces. With more than 1,600 people wounded, the toll may rise further. © Agence France-Presse
Hong Kong mask ban sparks violent clashes, rail shutdown
by Jerome TAYLOR / Jasmine LEUNG Agence France Presse HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong’s entire mass transit rail system was suspended on Saturday after a night of violence sparked by a ban on pro-democracy protesters wearing face masks, as the government invoked emergency powers not used in more than half a century. The ban was aimed at quelling nearly four months of unrest but instead sparked widespread clashes and vows of defiance, […]
Microsoft says Iran hackers targeted US presidential campaign
(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 27, 2017 the French headquarters of US multinational technology company Microsoft is seen in Issy-Les-Moulineaux, a Paris’ suburb. – Microsoft on Friday said a hacker group linked to Iran unleashed cyber attacks on US journalists, government officials and accounts associated with a US presidential campaign. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP) SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Microsoft on Friday said a hacker group linked to […]
Hong Kong leader announces ban on protester face masks
by Jerome TAYLOR / Jasmine LEUNG Agence France Presse HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong’s leader announced a ban Friday on protesters wearing face masks, invoking colonial-era emergency powers, in a bid to quell months of violent anti-government unrest. Chief executive Carrie Lam said she had made the order under the Emergency Regulations Ordinances, a sweeping law that grants her the ability to make any law during a time of emergency or public […]
Priest shortage in Amazon eroding Catholic influence, warns bishops in Brazil and Peru
by Allison Jackson, with Valeria Pacheco in Puerto Maldonado, Peru Agence France Presse ITAITUBA, Brazil (AFP) — A shortage of Catholic priests in the Amazon is eroding the church’s influence in the remote region, bishops in Brazil and Peru warn, ahead of a Vatican synod dedicated to the rainforest. Wilmar Santin, one of scores of Brazilian bishops set to attend the October 6-27 gathering, says the church is ceding ground to more nimble Evangelical […]





