Ireland says no ‘credible’ proposals from UK on replacing Brexit backstop
The British government has not made concrete or credible proposals on replacing the backstop in the stalled Brexit withdrawal agreement, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Friday.
Japan’s military seek eighth straight annual hike in defense spending
Japan’s military has asked for an eighth straight annual increase in defense spending to help pay for U.S.-made interceptor missiles, stealth fighters, and other equipment it wants to counter threats from North Korea and China.
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong arrested in crackdown on protests
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was arrested on Friday on suspicion of organizing illegal protests as authorities intensify a clampdown on unrest that has plunged the city into its biggest political crisis in more than two decades.
China, Japan, South Korea to step up cultural ties despite rows: ministers
The culture ministers of South Korea, Japan and China agreed on Friday to step up cultural exchanges and other areas of cooperation despite recent tensions over trade and their shared history.
Ukraine official says Ukraine, Russia swapped prisoners, including sailors
Ukrainian prisoners, including sailors and filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, are flying back to Ukraine after a prisoner swap was completed with Russia, according to comments that were reposted on Facebook by Ukraine’s general prosecutor.
No need yet for Hong Kong to use emergency powers: senior parliamentary official
Hong Kong is a long way from having to declare emergency powers or to ask the Chinese military to intervene, a senior official with China’s parliament and pro-Beijing Hong Kong politician told Reuters, as months of protests show no sign of abating.
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong among three arrested before weekend protests
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was arrested on Friday ahead of another weekend of planned protests in the Chinese-ruled city that is grappling with its biggest political crisis since its handover to Beijing more than two decades ago.
Ex-Major League Baseball player Dotel has Dominican charge dismissed, freed on bail
A Dominican court released former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel on bail on Thursday after he spent nine days in detention over allegations of money laundering.
China’s Xi sees bigger role for joint development of offshore oil, gas with Philippines
Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and the Philippines could take a “bigger step” in the joint development of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea if they can properly handle their dispute over sovereignty.
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong arrested ahead of weekend protests
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was arrested on Friday ahead of another weekend of planned protests in the Chinese-ruled city which is grappling with its biggest political crisis since its handover to Beijing more than two decades ago.
