Tag: politics

China plans to replace Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam: FT

  by Helen Roxburgh with Yan Zhao in Hong Kong Agence France Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — Beijing is drawing up a plan to remove Hong Kong’s beleaguered Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, after nearly five months of pro-democracy unrest. The pro-Beijing leader has faced sustained criticism from protesters in the semi-autonomous city. So far, the Chinese central government has given its support to her and the Hong Kong police, calling […]

Indonesia’s Joko Widodo set to announce new cabinet

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia’s Joko Widodo is set to announce a new cabinet Wednesday in a line-up that could include his election arch-rival, a multi-billion-dollar startup co-founder and the former owner of Inter Milan. Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, beat Prabowo Subianto — a former military general accused of rights violations — in April elections to secure another term as president of the world’s third-biggest democracy. The victory followed a bitter campaign plagued by […]

157 dead in Iraq protests: new official toll

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — The death toll from week-long anti-government protests that erupted in Baghdad and southern Iraq at the start of October totaled 157, an official inquiry announced Tuesday, ahead of further demonstrations. It also said commanders from across the security forces had been dismissed in the wake of the violence, including from the army, police, anti-terror, anti-riot, anti-crime, intelligence, and national security units. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, in a report […]

Netanyahu cannot form Israel govt, allowing opponent to try

by Mike Smith and Delphine Matthieussent JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Israel’s president Monday he could not form a new government following deadlocked September elections, making way for his opponent Benny Gantz to try. The decision was an important defeat for Netanyahu as he seeks to continue his tenure as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, but it does not mean the end of those efforts since he still has various cards to […]

Beijing says no one can stop Taiwan ‘reunification’

Beijing, China (AFP) —  China’s defense minister made an uncompromising call Monday for the “reunification” of Taiwan with the mainland, telling a high level defense forum that the process was something “no force” could stop. Self-ruled Taiwan is viewed by China as a renegade province which will eventually be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary, after the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war. China will not stop in its efforts […]

Indonesia arrests two dozen after minister attack

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesian police said they have arrested more than two dozen suspected militants after members of a network linked to the Islamic State (IS) group tried to assassinate a government minister. The world’s biggest Muslim majority nation is on high alert ahead of President Joko Widodo’s second-term inauguration on Sunday, with some 27,000 troops expected to be deployed in the capital Jakarta. Authorities have also banned mass demonstrations in the lead up […]

Ecuador counts cost of deadly protests after deal

by Santiago PIEDRA SILVA QUITO, Ecuador (AFP) — Ecuador began counting the cost Monday of 12 days of indigenous fury against fuel hikes that left seven protesters dead and severely dented President Lenin Moreno’s austerity program. Moreno and indigenous leaders reached an agreement Sunday after the president pledged to withdraw subsidy cuts, known as Decree 883, that had more than doubled fuel prices. The cuts were part of an austerity package to obtain a $4.2 […]

Ecuador protest talks set for Sunday as capital locks down

by Katell ABIVEN / Hector Velasco QUITO, Ecuador (AFP) — A first meeting between Ecuador’s president and indigenous leaders will take place on Sunday, the United Nations said, after Lenin Moreno ordered a curfew and military control in the capital to try to quell deadly, anti-austerity protests. The rolling demonstrations have left six people dead and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to authorities, with protesters on Saturday targeting a television station and a newspaper […]

Hong Kong police make arrests as small flashmob protests erupt

  HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong riot police spent much of Sunday afternoon skirmishing with small groups of masked pro-democracy protesters who held flashmob gatherings in multiple locations — although crowds were smaller and less violent than recent weekends. Rallies erupted in multiple neighborhoods with some protesters blocking roads, spraying graffiti on pro-China businesses, smashing windows and erecting barricades. Police made multiple arrests as they rushed to intercept activists but the clashes were […]

Canada’s Trudeau called ‘compulsive liar’ in last election debate

  GATINEAU, Canada (AFP) — Justin Trudeau was labelled a “compulsive liar” by his main rival during the final leaders’ debate before upcoming Canadian elections, in which the prime minister was forced to defend his environmental policies. The liberals and conservatives are neck-and-neck according to polls, with the general election set for October 21. The French-language debate had a more relaxed atmosphere than the previous one in English on Monday, where scathing personal attacks were […]

Trump’s energy secretary subpoenaed for documents in impeachment probe

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — House Democrats conducting an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump for abuse of power issued a subpoena for documents on Thursday to his Energy Secretary Rick Perry. The subpoena from the House Intelligence Committee asks Perry to turn over documents related to his dealings with Ukraine by October 18. Democrats in the House are investigating whether Trump withheld military aid for Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into his […]

PNP: Politics among angles eyed in Batuan, Masbate vice mayor killing

(Eagle News)–Police on Thursday, Oct. 10, said they were looking at politics as one of possible angles in the killing of Batuan, Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III. In an interview over radio dzmm, Capt. Henry Navarro, chief of the Manila Police District’s homicide section, noted five of Yuson’s supporters were killed during the campaign for the May elections,  based on information from Yuson’s family. He said Yuson’s son, Charmax Jan Yuson, was declared winner […]