World News

Polish PM blasts 'short-sighted' European opening to China after Macron visit

Poland's prime minister on Thursday accused Europeans of making a potentially historic mistake by seeking greater ties with China, in a clear reference to French President Emmanuel Macron, as he warned of consequences for Ukraine.. "Short-sightedly they look to China to be able sell more EU products there at huge geopolitical costs, making us more dependent on China and not less," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on a visit to Washington.

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Swedish retirees demand fairer pensions for women

"Old ladies need more money!". During the warmer months, members of the red-hatted "Tantpatrullen" (The Old Lady Patrol) gather every Thursday on the cobble streets of Stockholm's Old Town, right across from Sweden's parliament.

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 3 mins read

World News

Taiwan stages war and disaster drills after Chinese exercise

Screaming citizens reacted to everything from missile strikes to a chemical weapons blast and a deadly metro station attack during disaster-preparedness drills in Taiwan on Thursday.. Explosions sounded in one scenario as flares were launched at a residential building to simulate a missile strike, while loudspeakers declared an attack by "Communist China".

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 2 mins read

World News

British miniskirt pioneer Mary Quant dies aged 93: family

Mary Quant, the fashion queen of Britain's Swinging Sixties who popularised the miniskirt, died on Thursday at the age of 93, her family said.. Quant "died peacefully at home in Surrey, UK, this morning", they said in a statement, calling her "one of the most internationally recognised fashion designers of the 20th century and an outstanding innovator".

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 3 mins read

World News

Two EU graft scandal suspects leave prison

Two key suspects in the probe into alleged bribery by Qatar and Morocco at the European Parliament left prison in Brussels on Thursday for house arrest. . The so-called Qatargate inquiry focuses on alleged attempts by the Gulf state and North African kingdom Morocco to buy influence in the parliament, the European Union's directly elected assembly. 

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Iran executions surge in bid to 'spread fear': rights groups

Iran hanged 75 percent more people in 2022 than the previous year, two rights groups said on Thursday, warning this "killing machine" risked putting even more people to death this year after protests rocked the country.. He said that with over 150 executions in the first three months of this year alone, the overall total for 2023 risked being the highest in some two decades, exceeding even 2015 when, according to IHR, 972 people were put to death in Iran.

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 3 mins read

World News

Bangkok revels in first post-pandemic Songkran festival

Water pistols, hose pipes and smiles were in abundance on the streets of Bangkok Thursday, as the city celebrated the Thai new year festival Songkran after a three-year pandemic-related hiatus.. Thai reveller Phoranee Sukjee, 29, said she was hopeful the revival of the festival would boost the country's economy, which was battered by the pandemic.

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 2 mins read

World News

US, Philippines troops fire Javelins in largest ever joint war games

US and Philippine troops turned their Javelin anti-tank missiles on cars standing in as enemy vehicles on Thursday, in the allies' largest ever war games.. Philippine Army chief Lieutenant-General Romeo Brawner praised the "effectivity" of Javelins against Russian tank and armour in the Ukraine war, adding Manila plans to acquire the weapon in the future.

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 2 mins read

World News

China to ban ships from area near Taiwan due to 'falling rocket wreckage'

China will ban ships from entering an area north of Taiwan on Sunday due to "possible falling rocket wreckage", a provincial maritime authority said, days after Beijing conducted large-scale military drills around the self-ruled island.. - War games - Beijing on Monday announced the end of three days of military drills around Taiwan, the island democracy it views as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize -- by force if necessary.

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Taiwan seeks satellite solutions after undersea cables cut

Taiwanese hostel worker Wang Chuang-jen's business took a hammering when undersea telecoms lines serving tiny Matsu archipelago were cut in February.. When people called me, the line was cut before I could finish even one sentence," said Wang Chia-Wen, 45.

Thu, Apr 13, 2023 3 mins read