Other News

England’s health service set for ‘catastrophic’ doctors’ strike

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The public health service in England was on Tuesday braced for “the most disruptive industrial action” in its history as junior doctors walk out over pay and working conditions. The National Health Service (NHS) has been hit by waves of strikes in recent months as soaring inflation eats into wages and pandemic backlogs coupled with staff shortages increase workloads. But the four-day walkout by junior doctors threatens to be the […]

Philippines, US kick off largest-ever joint military drills

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The Philippines and the United States launched their largest-ever joint military exercises on Tuesday, as the longstanding allies seek to counter growing Chinese assertiveness in the region. Nearly 18,000 troops are taking part in the annual exercises dubbed Balikatan, or “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, which for the first time will include a live-fire drill in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely. The drills follow Monday’s conclusion of […]

South Korea says ‘significant’ number of leaked US docs are fake

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea on Tuesday said a “significant portion” of leaked US intelligence documents indicating concerns in Seoul about arms supplies to Ukraine were fake. The documents are part of a broader leak the Pentagon has described as a “very serious” national security risk. It has also created a diplomatic headache for Washington as they appear to show US spying on close allies including South Korea and Israel. Some files reportedly […]

Taiwan says 8 Chinese warships in waters around island

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Eight Chinese warships were still operating in waters around the island on Tuesday, Taiwan’s defense ministry said, a day after Beijing declared an end to its massive war games. China launched three days of military exercises around self-ruled Taiwan on Saturday that saw it simulate targeted strikes and practice a blockade of the island. The show of force was a response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with US House Speaker […]

US starts week of courting Asian partners after Taiwan flare-up

by Shaun TANDON Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss growing military ties with the Philippines on Tuesday before heading to Vietnam and Japan days after a new flare-up of tensions with China over Taiwan. The Philippines, Vietnam and Japan all have longstanding territorial disputes with China that have grown more intense in recent years as Beijing flexes its muscle. Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will […]

News presenter generated with AI appears in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (AFP) — A Kuwaiti media outlet has unveiled a virtual news presenter generated using artificial intelligence, with plans for it to read online bulletins. “Fedha” appeared on the Twitter account of the Kuwait News website on Saturday as an image of a woman, her light-coloured hair uncovered, wearing a black jacket and white T-shirt. “I’m Fedha, the first presenter in Kuwait who works with artificial intelligence at Kuwait News. What kind of […]

North Korea leader calls for more ‘practical, offensive’ war deterrence

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for expanding the country’s war deterrence capabilities in a “more practical and offensive” way, state media said Tuesday, to counter what it called “frantic” aggression by the United States and South Korea. Pyongyang has opened the year with a flurry of weapons tests, including what state media has claimed are nuclear-capable underwater drones and the launch of two intercontinental ballistic missiles. On Monday, […]

Mexican TikToker shares Maya language with new generations

by Sofia Miselem Agence France-Presse OXKUTZKAB, Mexico (AFP) — Santos Tuz bids his followers farewell with a smile in Maya and Spanish on social media, where the young Mexican teacher shares his Indigenous language with thousands of people. The 21-year-old, from the southeastern state of Yucatan, discovered his vocation to keep the words of his ancestors alive during the Covid-19 lockdown. His TikTok account @tuzsantos322 has 343,000 followers and 3.1 million likes. “Green on the […]

W.House ‘confident’ in US-French ties despite Macron’s China remarks

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House said Monday it remains “confident” in the US-French relationship after President Emmanuel Macron distanced himself from US policy on Taiwan and warned Europeans not to be American “followers.” Macron’s remarks to journalists from French business daily Les Echos and news site Politico came after he was hosted for a state visit by China’s Xi Jinping. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the Biden administration […]

Israel’s Netanyahu vows to restore security as violence surges

by Alexandra VARDI Agence France-Presse TEL AVIV, Israel (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to restore security “on all fronts” after surging violence that included rocket fire from Lebanon and Syria and two more deaths on Monday. Netanyahu also reinstated the defense minister whose firing he announced last month. Heavy clashes, shootings, rocket strikes and a car-ramming attack have marred a period when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan coincides with the Jewish […]

Biden ends US Covid emergency status

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden on Monday officially ended the Covid national health emergency that for more than three years underpinned extraordinary efforts to provide care for a country where more than a million people died from the disease. The White House said Biden signed a law passed earlier by Congress “which terminates the national emergency related to the Covid-19 pandemic.” This closes lavish funding streams for Covid tests, free vaccines and […]

Four killed, 8 injured in Kentucky bank shooting

  Louisville, United States | AFP | Monday 4/10/2023 Four people were killed and at least eight others injured Monday in a shooting targeting a bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, according to US police who said the suspect — believed to be an ex-employee — died in the assault. Police said calls had come in around 8:30 am (1230 GMT) for an “active aggressor” at the Old National Bank in Louisville, the largest city in […]