French media denounce violent “yellow vest” attacks on press
PARIS – French media and reporters’ organisations have denounced attacks on journalists by “yellow vest” anti-government protesters and called for better protection after a series of incidents this weekend. On…
Australia to force local governments to induct citizens on national holiday
SYDNEY – Australia‘s federal government has ordered local governments to hold naturalisation ceremonies for new citizens on Australia Day amid controversy over the holiday, which some claim is offensive to its…
Trump stops short of emergency declaration in border wall fight
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has said that he would not declare a national emergency “right now” to end a standoff over border security that has idled large swaths of the…
Venezuela opposition plans incentives for officers who disavow Maduro
CARACAS – Venezuela’s opposition-led congress is considering offering legal incentives to military officers who disavow President Nicolas Maduro and help lead a transition to a new government, according to four…
Saudi teen who fled family leaves Thailand for asylum in Canada
BANGKOK/TORONTO – An 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled her family saying she feared for her life has been granted asylum in Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, as Thai…
Macedonia parliament agrees to change country’s name
SKOPJE – Macedonia’s parliament has passed an amendment to the constitution to rename the country Republic of North Macedonia, in line with an agreement with Greece to put an end…
President Maduro to start new term as Venezuela isolation grows
CARACAS – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has begun a second term in office, shrugging off international criticism that his reelection last year was illegitimate but facing further isolation as an…
Four men go on trial for theft of giant gold coin from Berlin museum
BERLIN – Four men have gone on trial for stealing a gold coin the size of a manhole cover from one of Germany’s flagship museums in a daring night-time heist…
Archaeologists restore ancient Palmyra artefacts in Damascus museum
DAMASCUS – In the National Museum of Damascus, archaeologist Muntajab Youssef works on an ancient stone bust from Palmyra, one of hundreds of artefacts his team is painstakingly restoring after…
Cambodian jailed for three years for insulting king on Facebook
PHNOM PENH – A Cambodian court has jailed a man for three years for insulting the king in Facebook posts, the second known conviction under a new lese majeste law…
