U.S. edges China out of race to fund Bougainville independence vote
The United States and its Pacific allies have plugged a funding gap that endangered next month’s independence referendum in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) region of Bougainville, a strategic move that also sidelined China, two sources told Reuters.
Hong Kong leader halts policy speech as lawmakers disrupt session
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam was forced to halt her annual policy address on Wednesday after some lawmakers disrupted the session, shouting and jeering as she started her speech.
Mexico convulsed by second mass shooting in two days
A gunfight between security forces and armed civilians in Mexico’s southwestern state of Guerrero killed 15 people on Tuesday, authorities said, the second mass killing to shake the country in as many days.
Factbox: Hundreds of dignitaries to attend as Japan’s new emperor declares enthronement
New Japanese Emperor Naruhito is set to proclaim his enthronement to the world next week in a centuries-old ceremony attended by some 2,500 people, including heads of state and other dignitaries from nearly 200 countries.
U.S. House takes hard line on China over Hong Kong, Huawei
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed four pieces of legislation taking a hard line on China, three related to pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and one commending Canada in its dispute over the extradition of a Chinese telecom executiv…
U.S. says Guatemala must agree to asylum pact to get development aid
A senior U.S. State Department official on Tuesday warned Guatemala that it must reach agreement with the United States on accepting asylum-seekers from other countries in order to benefit from a regional economic development plan.
Japan typhoon death toll climbs to 74, rescuers search for missing people
Rescue workers in Japan searched for the missing on Wednesday as the death toll from one of the worst typhoons to hit the country rose to 74, public broadcaster NHK said, many drowned by flooding after scores of rivers burst their banks.
China says U.S. House should stop interfering in Hong Kong
China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Beijing resolutely opposed new measures passed by the U.S. House of Representatives related to the Hong Kong protests and urged lawmakers to stop interfering.
15 people killed in shootout in southwestern Mexico: state authorities
Fifteen people were killed in a gunfight in the southwestern Mexican state of Guerrero, state public security authorities said late on Tuesday, the second mass killing to rock the country in as many days.
Mexican Senate approves mid-term vote recall for presidency
Mexico’s Senate on Tuesday approved a controversial constitutional change that would give the public a chance to vote again to either retain or remove a president halfway through their six-year term.
