Singapore jails two Vietnamese for smuggling endangered birds
Two Vietnamese nationals have each been sentenced to six months in prison for illegally smuggling 12 endangered songbirds into Singapore, according to various media reports. In a joint statement on Thursday, the…
FBI analysis fingers Russian spy agencies for US election hacks
WASHINGTON – The FBI has squarely blamed Russian intelligence services for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, releasing the most definitive report yet on the issue, including samples of…
Iraqi forces launch second phase of Mosul offensive against Islamic State
Iraqi security forces have begun the second phase of their offensive against Islamic State militants in Mosul, pushing from three directions into eastern districts where the battle has been deadlocked for…
New PM Gentiloni aims to unite “lacerated” Italy
ROME – Italy’s new prime minister, Paolo Gentiloni has said that he aimed to restore unity and cohesion following a divisive referendum, and continue the economic reforms begun by his…
Philippine leader says once threw man from helicopter, would do it again
MANILA – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened corrupt government officials with the prospect of being thrown out of a helicopter mid-air, warning he has done it himself before and…
German minister calls for ban on vegetarian “pseudo-meat” labels
BERLIN – Germany’s agriculture minister called on Wednesday for a ban on “pseudo-meat” labels such as “vegetarian schnitzel” and “vegan curry sausage”, arguing that they mislead consumers. In a land…
Five killed in attack in China’s restive Xinjiang: state media
BEIJING – Attackers drove a vehicle into a government building in China’s unruly far western region of Xinjiang, setting off an explosive device and using knives to kill two people…
Vietnamese second highest in South Korea’s foreign population
The number of Vietnamese nationals living in South Korea has surpassed Americans for the second consecutive month. According to the immigration office under South Korea’s justice ministry, people from China…
Colombia Congress approves amnesty for thousands of FARC rebels
BOGOTA – Colombia’s Congress on Wednesday approved an amnesty law to protect thousands of demobilizing Marxist guerrilla fighters from prosecution for minor crimes committed during the country’s 52-year war. The…
Mystery bombing at boxing bout wounds 33 in Philippines
MANILA – A bombing has wounded 33 people during an amateur boxing match in a central Philippines province, the government said, the second attack on a public place by unknown…
