Other News

Saudi gamer prince announces eSports World Cup

RIYADH, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Saudi Arabia said on Monday it would organise an eSports World Cup starting next year, the latest boost to a sector Riyadh hopes will create tens of thousands of local jobs. “The eSports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and eSports,” the Gulf kingdom’s de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said in a statement. Prince […]

Taiwan defends Foxconn over China tax probe

TAIPEI, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Taiwan defended tech giant Foxconn on Monday after China launched an investigation into several of the firm’s sites, saying that Taiwanese businesses should not be subjected to “political interference”. Chinese authorities are inspecting Foxconn’s sites in southern Guangdong province and Jiangsu in the east, as well as carrying out on-site investigations into the company’s land use in central Hunan and Hubei provinces, China’s state-run Global Times reported Sunday. It […]

US police: No Indication of anti-semitism in synagogue president’s murder

DETROIT, Oct 22, 2023 (AFP) – Police probing the stabbing death of the president of a US synagogue said Sunday that no evidence has emerged of anti-Semitism as a motive. Detroit police chief James White said in a brief statement that his force is interviewing “individuals with information that may further the investigation” into the death Saturday of Samantha Woll. He gave no details. “No evidence has surfaced suggesting that this crime was motivated by […]

Japan PM promises focus on ‘economy, economy, economy’

TOKYO, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised on Monday tax cuts as part of a new economic programme that he hopes will shore up his sagging popularity. Kishida has seen his ratings plummet to the lowest levels since he took office two years ago, and over the weekend his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost a by-election. In a legislative policy address to parliament, Kishida listed his economic achievements and […]

Manila says Chinese vessels ‘intentionally’ hit Philippine boats

MANILA, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Manila said Monday that Chinese vessels “intentionally hit” Philippine boats at the weekend, escalating a diplomatic row over two collisions in the South China Sea. The countries have traded blame over Sunday’s incidents near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, with both sides filing diplomatic protests and releasing videos to support their accusations. The two collisions happened during a Philippine resupply mission to troops stationed on a navy […]

LeBron eyes return to summit as 21st NBA season beckons

By Rob Woollard LOS ANGELES, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – LeBron James heads into 21st season in the NBA hungrier than ever as he looks to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a record-breaking 18th championship. James, 38, finished last season in a downbeat mood, hinting at possible retirement after the Lakers were comprehensively beaten by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. But a summer of rest and a reloaded roster has left […]

Lillard and Giannis unite to make Bucks an NBA title threat

MILWAUKEE, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, two of the NBA’s top scorers, have united into a dynamic duo that make the Milwaukee Bucks a formidable threat for the 2024 NBA title. The Bucks obtained seven-time All-Star guard Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers last month and united him with seven-time All-Star center Antetokounmpo to create a powerful inside-outside combination along the lines of legends Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. “Having […]

Gulf-ASEAN summit calls for permanent ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza

(AFP) – Gulf and Southeast Asian leaders on Friday condemned attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip and called for a permanent ceasefire, according to a statement published after a summit meeting. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also called for the release of some 200 hostages held by Hamas militants, as well as the restoration of basic services for Palestinians and the delivery of humanitarian […]

Maritime spat escalates: Philippines and China lodge protests after South China Sea collisions

By Pam Castro with Peter Catterall in Beijing MANILA, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Manila summoned Beijing’s ambassador and China lodged a complaint on Monday in a growing spat over two collisions between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea. The countries have traded blame over Sunday’s incidents near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, with both sides filing diplomatic protests and releasing videos to support their accusations. The two collisions […]

President Biden holds talks with western allies on Israel-Hamas conflict, stresses humanitarian concerns

WASHINGTON, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden discussed the Israel-Hamas war Sunday with leaders of major Western powers, the White House said, as Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza. Biden spoke with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, the White House said. “The leaders reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of […]

China and Philippines point fingers over South China Sea collisions

By Cecil Morella with Sebastien Ricci in Beijing MANILA, Oct 22, 2023 (AFP) – Beijing and Manila traded blame for two collisions Sunday between Chinese vessels and Philippine boats on a resupply mission to Filipino troops on a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea. The incidents happened near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, a hotly contested region where Beijing deploys ships to assert its claims over almost the entire sea. A […]

Washington warns against escalation as US bolsters military presence in the Middle East

WASHINGTON, Oct 22, 2023 (AFP) – The United States warned Iran or its allies against any escalation in the wake of Israel’s war with Hamas, two top US officials said Sunday, hours after the Pentagon moved to step up military readiness in the region. With tensions mounting, Washington also announced Sunday it had ordered non-emergency staff to leave its embassy in Iraq. “We are concerned at the possibility of Iranian proxies escalating their attacks against […]