China, Sweden escalate war of words over support for detained bookseller
Beijing has doubled down in its criticism of Stockholm’s support for Gui Minhai, a book publisher detained in China, after Sweden’s minister for culture attended a literary award ceremony in his honor.
Hundreds of pro-China protesters rally amid Hong Kong chaos
Hundreds of pro-China protesters rallied in Hong Kong on Saturday to denounce increasingly violent anti-government unrest in the Chinese-ruled city and support the police who have become a prime target of attack.
Trump asked Tokyo for $8 billion to keep U.S. troops in Japan: Foreign Policy
U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Japan to quadruple its payments for U.S. forces stationed there, Foreign Policy reported, citing unnamed current and former U.S. officials, as Washington presses long-standing allies to increase their defense spend…
Sri Lankans vote for a new president to heal divisions after Easter attack
Sri Lankans trickled into polling centers early on Saturday to choose a new president for the island-nation still struggling to recover from Easter Sunday attacks on hotels and churches that have heavily weighed on its tourism-dependent economy.
Nicaraguan opposition denounces arrest of anti-Ortega activists
Nicaraguan police have arrested 13 opponents of President Daniel Ortega’s government, marking what opposition leaders derided as a new wave of repression against those seeking electoral reforms and early elections.
China blocks visit by outspoken Australian lawmakers for study trip
Two Australian lawmakers known for their outspoken criticism of the Chinese regime said they had been barred from visiting the country next month because of their “frankness about the Chinese Communist Party”.
Bushfires rage across Australia’s east coast
Dozens of wild fires burned across Australia’s east coast on Saturday and firefighters scrambled to shore up defenses ahead of hotter weather expected next week.
Renewed rocket fire into Israel jolts tenuous Gaza truce
Israeli missile defenses on Saturday intercepted two Palestinian rockets that were fired deep into southern Israel overnight on Saturday from the Gaza Strip, Israel’s military said.
Pro-China protesters to rally amid Hong Kong chaos
Pro-China protesters plan to rally in Hong Kong on Saturday to denounce increasingly violent anti-government unrest in the Chinese-ruled city and support the police who have become a prime target of attack.
Masked men break into Venezuela opposition party offices on eve of protest
Unidentified masked men on Friday forced their way into the offices of Venezuelan opposition party Popular Will, political leaders said, the night before planned protests across the country meant to boost pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to resign….
