International
British police arrest 39 climate activists blocking Port of Dover
British climate change protesters on Friday temporarily blocked the Port of Dover, Europe’s busiest trucking port, and police arrested 39 people.About 40 activists from the environmental group Insulate Britain brought traffic to and from the port, the main artery for trade over the English C
Day of reckoning: German election to set new direction after Merkel
Germany is set to have a very closely fought election on Sunday that will determine the new direction of the European Union's most populous country as the 16-year reign of Angela Merkel comes to an end. While her party frantically looks to avoid a defeat by its center-left rivals, the environmenta
Airlines cancel flights due to volcanic eruption on Spain's La Palma
As the volcanic eruption on Spain’s Canary Islands continued to produce explosions and spew out lava throughout the week, about 30 flights to the Spanish islands of La Palma and La Gomera were canceled due to an ash cloud, reports said Friday. Iberia, Binter, Canaryfly and Vueling are among
Japan Approaching End of COVID-19 Emergency in Most Areas
Japan's COVID-19 infection situation is improving such that emergency conditions could soon be lifted in most parts of the country, the health minister said on Friday. Hospitalization rates and patient bed availability will factor into whether the state of emergency prevailing over Tokyo and much
North Korea Proposes Talks If South Korea Lifts 'Hostility'
The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Friday her country is willing to resume talks with South Korea if it doesn’t provoke the North with hostile policies and double standards. Kim Yo Jong’s statement was a response to South Korean President Moon Jae-in's rene
Singaporeans diet quality drops due to COVID-19
Singaporeans are known for their delicious street food, even UNESCO last year recognized it as an important intangible cultural heritage of humanity and described local hawkers as "markers of Singapore as a multicultural city-state." But that renowned local blend of Chinese, Indian and Malay cuis
Power outages hit Myanmar's biggest cities Yangon, Mandalay
Apower blackout hit Myanmar's main urban centers and far-flung towns Friday, including commercial hub Yangon and parts of the capital Naypyitaw, authorities and Agence France-Presse (AFP) correspondents said. Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation reported a "temporary power outage in Yangon regio
German parties brace for challenging Sunday election
With two days to go until Germany's elections, the whole country and the world prepare to witness an exchange of power as Angela Merkel leaves the helm of Europe's largest economy after 16 years. The outgoing chancellor has definitely touched the lives of every German. Though she isn't r
Nearly 20 EU countries nominate Tedros for 2nd term as WHO chief
Germany and France said on Friday that they and nearly 20 European Union countries have nominated Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia for a second term as director general of the World Health Organization (WHO). This marks the first time that a candidate for the top job at the U.N. h
Catalan separatist leader Puigdemont arrested in Italy
Exiled former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont was arrested in Italy on Thursday, his lawyer and an aide said, four years after fleeing following an independence referendum that Madrid ruled unconstitutional.The European MEP was expected to appear in court on Friday at a hearing that could see
Israel suspends Gilboa Prison chief after prisoners escape
Israeli prisons authorities yesterday temporarily suspended the head of the Gilboa Prison, Freddy Ben-Sheetrit, after six Palestinian inmates dug their way out of the high security jail earlier this month. Haaretz said that the Israel Prisons Service Commissioner Katy Perry was muling the "possib
Macron urges new Lebanese PM to undertake ‘urgent’ reforms
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday urged the new Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to undertake “urgent” reforms to help his crisis-wracked country, as the two men met for the first time in Paris.After repeating previous criticism of Lebanon’s political class, Macron t
France: Restoring Confidence with US Will Require Time
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday it would take "time and actions" to restore confidence in relations after a crisis triggered by Australia's cancellation of a submarine contract with Paris. France was incensed by Australia's decision l
Blinken, Egypt’s FM hold talks in New York
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest. The meeting took place in New York, where Shoukry is attending the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. H
Japan to distribute 60M COVID-19 vaccines to other countries
Japan will hand out 60 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to other countries, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday. This is twice the previously pledged target of 30 million doses. "Today, I am pleased to announce that, with additional contributions, Japan will provide up to approxim
New Zealand’s PM hopes to avoid future coronavirus lockdowns
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she doesn’t want to use lockdowns in the future and sees vaccinations as the “golden ticket” to navigating the pandemic. Her remarks came as Auckland remained in a sixth week of lockdown following an outbreak of the coronavirus&rsqu
Melbourne anti-lockdown protests fizzle out as daily COVID-19 cases hit pandemic high
Melbourne’s streets were largely quiet on Thursday after three days of anti-lockdown protests, with hundreds of police officers on patrol in the city to prevent another rally as COVID-19 cases in Victoria hit a daily pandemic record. Police in central Melbourne were checking people’s
Ukraine tightens coronavirus lockdown curbs
Ukraine tightened coronavirus lockdown curbs on Thursday, restricting large events and occupancy at gyms, cinemas and cultural sites, after a recent steady increase in new infections. Ukraine imposed a nationwide “yellow” code after cases dropped over the summer, allowing it to lift l
