International

China defends barring Human Rights Watch head from Hong Kong

by Jing Xuan TENG BEIJING, China (AFP) — China on Monday defended barring the head of Human Rights Watch from entering Hong Kong, saying non-governmental organizations were responsible for political unrest in the city and should “pay the proper price”. Kenneth Roth was supposed to give a press conference in Hong Kong this week to unveil the New York-based rights group’s latest global survey, which accuses China of prosecuting “an intensive attack” on international human […]

Iran denies ‘cover-up’ as anger mounts over downed airliner

by David Vujanovic TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran denied a “cover-up” Monday after taking days to reveal an airliner was accidentally shot down last week, a disaster that sparked demonstrations and calls for a fully transparent investigation. The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 was brought down by a missile shortly after taking off Wednesday from Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. On the diplomatic front, Iran warned Britain against “interference” in its […]

Queen agrees ‘period of transition’ for Harry and Meghan

  SANDRINGHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) — Queen Elizabeth II on Monday said Prince Harry and his wife Meghan would be allowed to split their time between Britain and Canada while their future is finalised. The couple said last week they wanted to step back from the royal frontline, catching the family off guard and forcing the monarch to convene crisis talks about the pair’s future roles. The 93-year-old queen, her son and heir Prince Charles, […]

Queen gathers royals for crisis meeting with Prince Harry

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Queen Elizabeth II and other senior British royals were gathering for a meeting Monday with Prince Harry in an attempt to solve the crisis triggered by his bombshell announcement that he and wife Meghan were stepping back from the royal frontline. Harry’s father Prince Charles and brother Prince William, with whom he has strained relations, will join the monarch at her private Sandringham estate in eastern England, according to British […]

Before Taal Volcano eruption, Japan’s Mt. Shintake and Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano also spew ash, rocks

  Before Taal volcano in the Philippines erupted with steam and huge columns of ash on Sunday, Jan. 12, Japan’s Mount Shintake had also erupted on Saturday, Jan. 11, while Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano had also dramatically spewed a fiery cloud of ash and rock into the sky on Thursday, Jan. 9. In a span of four days, these three volcanoes spewed ash and steam, although there was no evacuation order issued in Japan and Mexico […]

Iran agrees de-escalation ‘only solution’ to solve crisis with US

  by David Vujanovic Agence France-Presse TEHRAN, Iran  (AFP) — Iran has signaled it favors a de-escalation after 10 days of heightened tensions with the United States during which both sides fired missiles and Tehran accidentally shot down a passenger aircraft. Security was stepped up in Iran’s capital Sunday after a vigil the previous night for those killed in the air disaster turned into an angry protest and police temporarily arrested the British ambassador for […]

Libyan rivals to sign ceasefire deal in Moscow Monday: official

TRIPOLI, Libya (AFP) – The head of Libya’s UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and his rival, strongman Khalifa Haftar, are expected to sign a ceasefire agreement in Moscow on Monday, a senior Libyan official said. The oil-rich North African country has been wracked by bloody turmoil since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with multiple foreign powers now involved. The signing of the agreement will pave the way for […]

Australia’s bushfire crisis turns off tourists

  by Holly ROBERTSON Agence France-Presse MOGO, Australia  (AFP) — Families grieving for lost homes and loved ones, burned koalas rescued from charred forests: The devastation of Australia’s bushfire crisis has tainted the country’s reputation as a safe and alluring holiday destination. Images of the unprecedented scale of this summer’s blazes have evoked global shock and an outpouring of sympathy. Thousands of tourists have been evacuated from coastal towns, international visitors have cancelled flights, and […]

Japan’s Abe warns conflict with Iran impacts entire world

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has warned that military confrontation with Iran will impact global peace and stability, as he visits the Middle East hoping to ease tensions spiked by the US killing of a top Iranian general. His comments came at the start of a five-day Gulf tour that had been thrown into doubt after Tehran responded to the attack on Qasem Soleimani by launching a barrage of missiles […]

Australian ‘megablaze’ brought under control

by Andrew BEATTY Agence France-Presse SYDNEY, Australia  (AFP) — Exhausted firefighters said they had finally brought Australia’s largest “megablaze” under control Monday, as wet weather promised to deliver much-needed respite for countryside ravaged by bushfires. New South Wales firefighters said they finally had the upper hand in the fight against the vast Gospers Mountain fire on Sydney’s northwestern outskirts, which has been burning out of control for almost three months. Visiting the area on Monday, […]

Iraq warns of ‘collapse’ if Trump blocks oil cash

by Maya Gebeily BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — Iraqi officials fear economic “collapse” if Washington imposes threatened sanctions, including blocking access to a US-based account where Baghdad keeps oil revenues that feed 90 percent of the national budget. US President Donald Trump was outraged by the Iraqi parliament voting on January 5 to oust foreign forces, including some 5,200 American troops, who have helped local soldiers beat back jihadists since 2014. If troops were asked to […]

Trump warns Iran not to kill protesters, door still open to talks

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – US President Donald Trump warned Iran Sunday against killing protesters who have risen up over the regime’s downing of a civilian airliner as his defense secretary left the door open to talks with Tehran without preconditions. Trump’s salvo came as Iran’s Islamic regime faced a challenge from angry street protests, having come to the brink of war with the US after a series of tit-for-tat confrontations. “To the leaders […]