- Reuters
U.S. returns bells looted after Philippine wartime massacre
Church bells taken as war trophies by U.S. forces more than a century ago arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday, ending Manila's decades-long quest for the return of some of the most famous symbols of resistance to U.S. colonialism. The "Bells of Balangiga" landed in a military cargo plane
ReutersMexico to invest $30 billion to boost growth, stem migration, foreign minister says
Mexico will invest more than $30 billion in its poor southern states over the next five years, the foreign minister said on Monday, boosting the region economically as part of efforts to curb migration. Under pressure from the United States, Mexico is grappling to halt the northward flow of migrants
ReutersU.S. military ends search for five Marines missing off Japan
The U.S. military ended a search on Tuesday for five Marines missing in the sea off Japan since two Marine Corps aircraft were involved in an accident during an air-to-air refueling exercise on Dec. 6. The five missing crew of a KC-130 Hercules refueling plane were officially declared deceased. "
- Christian Science Monitor
As Theresa May fumbles Brexit, a far-right backlash is brewing
A march for Brexit – a clean break from the European Union – and against Prime Minister Theresa May and any other politician who dares to defy the 17.4 million Britons who voted in 2016 to leave. “Hard Brexit, Traitor May,” read one flag. Sunday’s pro-Brexit march by UKIP, a populist anti-EU party,
- Christian Science Monitor
France’s ‘yellow vests’ only have one common message: anger at government
For Rosa Larocca, a middle-aged headmistress who can switch from a warm smile to a stern look in seconds, it’s all about politics. The president sought on Monday evening to pacify rebellious spirits.
- Christian Science Monitor
Readers write: Positive views of China and Puerto Rico, and portrayal of socialism
Positive views of China, Puerto Rico
- Christian Science Monitor
Meanwhile in ... the United States, students are attending college on esports scholarships
In colleges around the United States, students are attending school on esports scholarships. The National Association of Collegiate Esports works with around 120 colleges and universities in the US and Canada, many of which are creating scholarships to attract gamers. With the rise of competitive esports
Associated PressNew Zealand law to make medical marijuana widely available
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's government on Tuesday passed a law that will make medical marijuana widely available for thousands of patients over time.
- Associated Press
Top Asian News 6:31 a.m. GMT
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — A jailed Chinese technology executive will have to wait at least one more day to see if she will be released on bail in a case that has raised U.S.-China tensions and complicated efforts to resolve a trade dispute that has roiled financial markets and threatened global
AFPIndia's rupee, stocks down as central bank chief quits
India's rupee plunged along with equities on Tuesday after the country's central bank chief quit following a dispute with the government that analysts say raises fears about its independence. Urjit Patel stood down as governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday evening following months
ReutersIndia's Modi stares at biggest election loss since coming to power
The main opposition Congress party could form governments in the central states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, and in the western state of Rajasthan, all big heartland states that powered Modi to a landslide win in the 2014 general election. Analysts say a big loss for Modi's Bharatiya Janata
Associated PressUS returns 3 war bells seized from Philippines a century ago
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Three church bells seized by American troops as war trophies more than a century ago were returned to the Philippines on Tuesday in a move long demanded by Filipino leaders, including the current president, who is critical of Washington and has moved closer to China.
- Reuters
Attack on Afghan intelligence service team kills four
KABUL (Reuters) - An attack targeting members of Afghanistan's main intelligence agency just outside the capital Kabul on Tuesday killed at least four people and wounded six others, a senior security official said. The official said it was a suicide attack on an operational team from the National
AFP'Yellow vests' denounce Macron speech as 'charade'
Groups of "yellow vest" protesters across France responded scathingly to the "crumbs" offered by President Emmanuel Macron in a speech intended to defuse their revolt, but others acknowledged his efforts. "Nonsense," "a charade", "a bluff" and "
ReutersThai junta lifts military-imposed ban on political activities: statement
Thailand lifted a military-imposed ban on political activities that has been in place since 2014, a government statement published on the Royal Gazette website said on Tuesday, clearing the way for an election to be held on Feb. 24, 2019. The military government imposed the strict ban when it took power
AFPVerdict expected in Ford 'Dirty War' trial in Argentina
A verdict is expected Tuesday in the trial of two former Ford Motor Company executives in Argentina who are accused of participating in the military dictatorship's "dirty war" against leftist dissent. The trial, the first of its kind here, has thrown a spotlight on the conduct of multinational
AFPFrench PM to detail Macron's measures to appease 'yellow vests'
The French government will Tuesday try to convince lawmakers and the public that President Emmanuel Macron's speech met the demands of the "yellow vest" movement, even as many demonstrators said they were disappointed and vowed to press on with their protest. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe
Associated Press5 missing Marines declared dead in warplanes crash off Japan
TOKYO (AP) — The U.S. military has declared five missing crew members dead after their refueling plane collided with a fighter jet last week off Japan's southern coast, and halted search and recovery operations.
- Associated Press
Japan court opts to detain Nissan's Ghosn through Dec. 20
TOKYO (AP) — A Tokyo court has decided Nissan Motor Co.'s former chairman Carlos Ghosn and another executive, both arrested Nov. 19, will remain in custody through Dec. 20.
- Reuters
Indonesia unveils more detailed land map in bid to resolve development planning disputes
Indonesia's government on Tuesday launched a more detailed map of land use aimed at resolving overlapping claims in the vast archipelago, including in forest areas, three years later than was initially planned. Jakarta hopes the new map, on a scale of 1:50,000 compared with a previous map on a 1
AFPUS military declares five missing Marines dead after Japan crash
The US military said Tuesday it had pronounced five missing Marines dead and was ending search operations nearly a week after two US military aircraft crashed off Japan. The announcement brings the final toll in the December 6 crash to six, with a seventh crew member rescued after the deadly incident
ReutersThailand to go to the polls on Feb. 24: Election Commission
Thailand will hold a much-delayed general election on Feb. 24, pending the lifting of a ban on political activity by the junta in Bangkok by January, the Election Commission said on Tuesday. The junta imposed a strict ban on political activity after it took power in 2014, citing the need to impose order
- Associated Press
Sydney teen jailed for planning attack
SYDNEY (AP) — An Australian court sentenced a Sydney teenager to at least 12 years in prison on Tuesday for planning an attack inspired by the Islamic State group for which he bought knives and bayonets from a gun shop two years ago.
AFPCongo elections: Calm before the storm?
Beneath a relatively smooth campaign lie uncertainties that could lead to lasting political turmoil or violence, they warn. "The organising (of the elections) has not been transparent or credible and the people aren't free" to choose, Nobel Peace laureate Denis Mukwege told AFP before
Reuters'Stop Brexit!' - one man's daily protest against UK-EU divorce
The 49-year-old's signs protesting against Britain's departure from the European Union are a regular backdrop to news footage shot outside parliament, as are his loud cries of "Stop Brexit", aimed at lawmakers inside. "To me this massive social injustice ... is already tearing