Tag: World

Russia Reports Fierce Fighting

Russia reported fierce fighting on Sunday on three sections of the front line in Ukraine while Ukraine’s president praised his troops for repelling Russia’s advances and claimed their counter-offensive was progressing well. The assessments of action along the 1,000-km (600-mile) long front were made a day after an African peace mission wrapped up talks with…


Earthquake Recorded Off Burma’s Coast, Shakes Buildings in Thailand

BANGKOK—An earthquake was recorded off the southern coast of Burma (also known as Myanmar) on Monday with tremors also felt in Thailand, but there were no immediate reports of major damage. The 5.1 magnitude quake was recorded about 152 kilometers (95 miles) south of Yangon, Burma’s biggest city, at 10 kilometers (6 miles) below the…


Rape Victims to Meet With Prosecutors After Not Guilty Pleas

Prosecutors in rape cases will meet complainants face-to-face if defendants plead not guilty, under new plans designed to cut the number of women who withdraw from the trial process. The number of rape prosecutions in England and Wales dropped by 70 percent between 2017 and 2022 and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is concerned about…


5 Killed After Truck Collides With Bus in Hokkaido in Northern Japan

TOKYO—Five people were killed and 12 others taken to the hospital after a truck collided with a bus in Hokkaido in northern Japan, according to local media reports. Police said the truck might have strayed into oncoming traffic, Kyodo news agency reported. The bus was carrying 15 passengers at the time of the accident, which…


Thailand Hosts Talks to Reengage With Burma Despite ASEAN Members’ Rejection

Thailand on Monday hosted an informal meeting among neighboring countries to discuss with Burmese officials the cessation of violence in the military-ruled country, despite opposition from key ASEAN members. The meeting will involve high-level representatives from Laos, Cambodia, India, China, Brunei, Vietnam, and Burma—also known as Myanmar—according to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This would…


Yousaf Vows Independent Scotland Will Ban Nuclear Weapons

An independent Scotland will ban nuclear weapons from its territory, First Minister Humza Yousaf has promised. Yousaf, the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), made the pledge as he revealed that his party would introduce a written constitution for Scotland if it secures independence. Speaking ahead of the launch of the latest Building a…


Push to Cut Big Money Influence on Federal Elections

Spending caps, real-time disclosure requirements, and a lower donation threshold are among recommended reforms to reduce the election influence of donors with deep pockets. The reforms are part of a push to increase transparency in federal elections and level the playing field so the biggest spenders do not have an unfair advantage. Election spending reached…


Treasurer Allays Recession Fears as Economy Slows

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is confident Australia is not heading towards a recession despite some economists warning the path to a soft landing from soaring inflation is narrowing. He says the Australian economy might stutter as interest rates lift, but neither the Reserve Bank nor Treasury are anticipating a recession. “We do expect the Australian economy to…


ANALYSIS: Senators Concerned Over Overreach From New WHO Pandemic Treaty

Analysis The World Health Assembly (WHA), the governing body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), met for its annual meeting in Geneva from 21 to 30 May this year. On the agenda was the discussion of a third of the proposed 307 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 and the latest version of…


Russia’s Putin Rebuts Key Elements of African Peace Plan for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday gave African leaders seeking to mediate in the war in Ukraine a list of reasons why he believed many of their proposals were misguided, pouring cold water on a plan already largely dismissed by Kyiv. The African leaders were seeking agreement on a series of “confidence building measures,” even as Kyiv…