WHO panel decides not to declare international Ebola emergency
GENEVA= – A World Health Organisation panel has decided not to declare an international emergency over Congo’s Ebola outbreak despite its spread to Uganda this week, concluding such a declaration…
Bowing to pressure, Hong Kong leader suspends extradition bill
HONG KONG – Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has indefinitely delayed a proposed law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, in a dramatic retreat after anger over the…
UK court sets Assange US extradition hearing for February 2020
LONDON – The full extradition hearing to decide whether Wikileaks founder Julian Assange should be sent to the United States to face accusations including spying charges will take place in…
Brazil Supreme Court rules homophobia a crime
SAO PAULO – The Brazilian Supreme Court has ruled that homophobia should be criminalised under existing legislation until Congress creates a specific law for the subject, weighing in on a…
China launches new internet cleanup campaign; more websites blocked
BEIJING – China has launched a campaign to clean up its internet, state media said, amid a fresh wave of apparent censorship by authorities that has blocked more foreign media…
Trump Jr. arrives for questioning by Senate Intelligence Committee on Russian links
WASHINGTON – Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of US President Donald Trump, arrived on Wednesday for a closed-door interview with the Senate Intelligence Committee that was likely to focus…
Hong Kong lawmaker gets suspended sentence over ‘Occupy’ charges
HONG KONG – Legislator Tanya Chan has been handed a suspended sentence after she was found guilty of inciting public nuisance during the 2014 pro-democracy “Occupy” movement. Chan, 47, who…
New Zealand to withdraw troops from Iraq next year, trim Afghan contingent
WELLINGTON – New Zealand will withdraw its troops from Iraq by June next year, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, ending a mission that helped train Iraqi defence forces to fight…
K-pop’s BTS gets coveted Recording Academy membership invite
LOS ANGELES – Korean pop sensation BTS have been invited to join the Recording Academy as part of a drive to diversify the group that chooses the annual Grammy Awards.…
New president of El Salvador wields his power via Twitter, firing officials
SAN SALVADOR – As Nayib Bukele waged an underdog bid for the presidency of El Salvador, savvy use of social media helped propel his rise. Now, in his first week…
