USA

Lawmaker accuses U.S. Justice Department of blocking whistleblower disclosure

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House Intelligence Committee chairman on Thursday accused the Justice Department of blocking intelligence officials from giving Congress a whistleblower complaint reported to involve communications between President Donald Trump and a foreign leader. The Washington

Asia

Sri Lanka presidential nominee Rajapaksa would restore relations with China – adviser

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

COLOMBO – Sri Lankan presidential nominee Gotabaya Rajapaksa would “restore relations” with the country’s top lender China if he wins the Nov. 16 vote and met with a senior Chinese official this week, according to an adviser and his spokesman.  China and Sri Lanka’s already strained relations took a further blow on Monday when President […]

Europe

France will help Lebanon push through economic reform: Macron

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

PARIS – France remains committed to helping Lebanon in its plans for economic reforms, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday at talks in Paris with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. Lebanon, one of the world’s most indebted states, is aiming to drive through long-postponed reforms to try to improve its stagnant economy and state […]

Asia

Indonesia shelves vote on penal code criminalizing extramarital sex

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

JAKARTA – Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Friday ordered a delay in a parliamentary vote on a new penal code criminalizing sex outside marriage and same-sex relations, which has been criticised by rights groups as an assault on basic freedoms.  The vote had been due next week with the revisions also including penalties for insulting […]

Europe

Germany’s coalition to detail carbon-free plans after marathon talks

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel will on Friday unveil a major new climate protection package thrashed out by parties in her coalition through the night ahead of Friday’s global day of protests by activists demanding action on climate change. The parties are searching for an agreement aimed at setting the direction of Europe’s largest […]

Asia

Pro-China groups to tear down pro-democracy graffiti in Hong Kong

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

HONG KONG – A pro-Beijing lawmaker has called for a Clean Hong Kong Day on Saturday, urging supporters to pull down “Lennon Walls” of anti-government graffiti across the Chinese-ruled city, a possible flashpoint in more than three months of unrest. The Lennon Walls are large mosaics of Post-it notes calling for democracy and denouncing perceived […]

Asia

Afghan President Ghani promises to introduce measures to prevent civilian casualties in war against militants

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

KABUL – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday promised to introduce measures to prevent civilian casualties in the ongoing war against militants, a day after at least 30 civilians were killed in a U.S. drone strike in eastern Nangarhar province.  Ghani said new steps to protect civilians were being implemented and he has introduced several […]

Middle East

Saudi Arabia shows attack site damage as Iran pledges tough defence

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

KHURAIS, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia on Friday took media to inspect oil facilities hit by attacks that Washington and Riyadh blame on Iran, showing melted pipes and burnt equipment, as Tehran vowed wide retaliation if tensions raised by the strikes boil over into hostilities. The kingdom sees the Sept 14 strikes on its Khurais […]

USA

One dead, five hurt in Washington, D.C. shooting – police

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

– One person was killed and five others wounded on Thursday in a shooting on the streets of Washington, D.C., not far from the White House, police said. Police have not apprehended a suspect as of late Thursday and do not know the motive for the shooting, said Metropolitan Police commander Stuart Emerman. He said […]

Middle East

Iran’s Zarif questions U.S. coalition for ‘peaceful resolution’ in Middle East

Editorial Bureau September 20, 2019

DUBAI – Iran’s foreign minister on Friday questioned U.S. plans for a coalition for a “peaceful resolution” in the Middle East while listing repeated Iranian diplomatic initiatives. “Coalition for Peaceful Resolution?,” Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a statement on Twitter, and listed eight diplomatic initiatives by Iran since 1985,