In presidential election, Congo seeks first democratic transfer of power
In his 74 years, Congolese historian Isidore Ndaywel has lived through independence from Belgium, two coups d’etat, multiple civil wars and three changes to the country’s name.
Hundreds of South Koreans sue government over wartime labor at Japan firms
Hundreds of South Koreans have sued the government for compensation over their forced labor at Japanese firms during World War Two, representatives said on Thursday, in a fresh twist to one of several historical disputes between the two sides.
Sri Lanka president names 30-member cabinet, reappoints finance minister
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a 30-member cabinet on Thursday, days after Ranil Wickremesinghe was reinstated as prime minister following a lengthy political crisis.
An online battle for 900 million hearts and minds: India braces for election
When India votes in a general election next year, it will be the world’s largest democratic exercise, and the biggest ever test of the role of social media in an election.
South Korea seeks smaller military drills with U.S. amid North Korea talks
South Korea wants to hold smaller joint military drills with the United States next year, the defense ministry said on Thursday, scaling back larger exercises as part of an effort to boost nuclear diplomacy with North Korea.
New Zealand’s Supreme Court to hear Dotcom extradition appeal
New Zealand’ highest court on Thursday said it would hear an appeal from Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom, who is attempting to overturn a lower court’s ruling that he can be extradited to the United States to face racketeering and copyright charges.
Kindertransport survivor sees German payments as history acknowledged
For 93-year-old Paul Kester, the sum of $2,800 offered him by the German government for his childhood ordeal during the Nazi era can never replace what he lost, but he welcomes the payment as recognition that “this history is not forgotten.”
Nicaragua expels OAS missions investigating violent protests
Nicaragua on Wednesday expelled two missions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) dedicated to investigating anti-government protests that turned violent, the group said.
As U.N. mulls how to back Yemen truce, U.S. wants to call out Iran
The United States wants the United Nations Security Council to condemn Iran in a draft resolution being negotiated to back a ceasefire deal in Yemen’s Hodeidah region, but Russia has rejected the move, diplomats said on Wednesday.
In Syria retreat, Trump rebuffs top advisers and blindsides U.S. commanders
U.S. President Donald Trump overrode his top national security aides, blindsided U.S. ground commanders, and stunned lawmakers and allies with his order for U.S. troops to leave Syria, a decision that upends American policy in the Middle East.
