Chile canceled the hosting of two important international meetings in the capital, Santiago, because of ongoing protests across the South American country. Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera said Wednesday his country will not host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in November or the COP25 environmental summit in December, as his government has to deal with … continue reading -> “Chile Cancels Hosting APEC, COP25 Meetings”

Officials in Pakistan say at least 65 people have been killed and dozens more injured after fire engulfed a passenger train near Pakistan’s Rahimyar Khan city. Local television footage showed flames pouring out of the train’s carriages and people could be heard crying. Railway authorities are probing the cause. Initial reports say the fire was … continue reading -> “65 People Killed in Pakistan Train Fire”

A respected British think tank slammed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal on Wednesday, concluding that the economy would be 3.5% smaller compared with staying in the European Union. The study by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research says the agreement would deliver a 70 billion-pound ($90 billion) blow to the U.K. Researchers … continue reading -> “UK’s Brexit Deal Estimated to Cost Almost $100 Billion”

Indonesia is about the closest thing left to a liberal democracy in Southeast Asia, so analysts had high hopes that President Joko Widodo could promote civil rights and transparency, while steering an open economy to more global trade. As the president enters his second term this month, however, those expectations are coming back down to … continue reading -> “Indonesia Analysts Lower Expectations for Jokowi’s Second Term”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn were set to trade barbs over Brexit and public spending Wednesday when they face off in Parliament for the last time before a Dec. 12 general election. The House of Commons on Tuesday approved an early election in hopes of breaking the deadlock over Britain’s … continue reading -> “UK’s Party Leaders Brace for Brexit Election”

Concert promoters in the U.S. are stepping back from plans to scan festivalgoers with facial recognition technology, after musicians and others gave it some serious side-eye. Although it remains entirely possible that music venues will eventually take a second look at the controversial technology. Live-entertainment giants AEG Presents and Live Nation both recently disavowed any … continue reading -> “Concert Promoters Turn Away From Facial Recognition Tech”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says this week’s inaugural meeting of a committee tasked with drafting a new Syrian constitution presents a “unique opportunity” for peace. The U.N. chief said Tuesday that he expects the 150-member committee to work “in good faith.” Representatives from the Syrian government, opposition and civil society are to begin meeting … continue reading -> “UN Chief: Drafting New Syria Constitution Is Step to Peace”

A top U.S. Border Patrol official has a warning: The crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border is not over. Even though crossings have been down over the past few months and news of custody deaths and teeming facilities full of children and families has faded from front pages and talking points of politicians, the number of … continue reading -> “Immigration Official Says US-Mexico Border Crisis Not Over”

Senior Islamic State leaders in Syria are coming under fire, part of what appears to be an urgent campaign to gut the terror group’s brain trust. The U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces — credited with playing a key role in taking out IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and IS spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir — said Wednesday … continue reading -> “Assault on Islamic State Leadership Not Over”

Pakistan has reassured the United States of its “steadfast” support to the peace and reconciliation process in war-shattered Afghanistan, stressing the importance for all parties to the conflict to take “practical” steps to reduce hostilities. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office said in a statement issued late Monday that he made the remarks in a meeting … continue reading -> “US Top Negotiator Discusses Afghan Peace With Pakistan PM”

The full House of Representatives will vote this week on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, addressing the White House argument that the probe has been illegitimate. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has scheduled a vote for Thursday, saying in a letter to fellow representatives that she wants to “eliminate any doubt” about the … continue reading -> “Full House to Vote on Trump Impeachment Inquiry”

California Governor Gavin Newsom says there are hopes that by later Monday the near historic winds that are driving a huge wildfire in the northern part of the state will “substantially settle down” as some 3,000 people work to put out the blaze. “We’re not out of the woods, but we are leaning in the … continue reading -> “California Hopes Winds Driving Wildfires Subside as Crews Work on Containment”

Negotiations on a sweeping 16-nation free trade deal and a code of conduct for the hotly contested South China Sea are expected to take center stage at a summit of Asian leaders in Bangkok next month. The leaders of all 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are due to attend … continue reading -> “South China Sea, Free Trade Deal to Feature at Asian Leaders Summit”

Conservative President Mauricio Macri conceded defeat in Argentina’s election Sunday night, paving the way for the country’s Peronist center-left to return to power under Alberto Fernandez as frustrated voters rejected the incumbent’s handling of a bruising economic crisis that has sunk many into poverty. The result would mark a dramatic return to high office of … continue reading -> “Argentine Incumbent Concedes Defeat in Presidential Vote”

Tens of thousands of people are marching in Barcelona to protest the separatist movement in the northeastern Catalonia region that has produced Spain’s worst political crisis in decades. Barcelona’s police say 80,000 people have rallied Sunday on one of the city’s main streets, with many carrying Spanish and Catalan flags. One poster read in English: … continue reading -> “Tens of Thousands March in Barcelona Urging Spanish Unity”

Pakistan’s ailing former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, who was jailed on money-laundering and corruption charges, has remained in a government hospital where he was taken last week after suffering a heart attack. Maryam Aurangzeb, a spokesman for the ex-premier’s Muslim League party, says Sunday that Sharif’s health condition won’t allow for him to be moved … continue reading -> “Pakistan Ex-PM Sharif, Moved from Jail, Stays in Hospital”

Thousands of supporters of an ultra-religious party are gathering in Karachi to start a large anti-government march on Pakistan’s capital farther north. Mufti Abrar Ahmed, spokesman for the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, says its leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman will lead the protesters’ caravan setting off later on Sunday. The beginning of the JUI protest also marks … continue reading -> “Large Anti-Government March Sets off for Pakistan’s Capital”

The Democratic-led impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump resumed with testimony from a senior State Department official on Saturday, a day after a judge buoyed the probe by dismissing a central Republican objection.    Philip Reeker, acting assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, was due to meet with the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees behind closed … continue reading -> “US House Impeachment Testimony Resumes With State Department Witness “

Nearly 50 people have died in renewed anti-government protests across Iraq, officials said Saturday, with clashes breaking out as demonstrators turned their fury against government and paramilitary offices. The death toll from protests this month has climbed to 205, including dozens who were killed as they torched government buildings or offices belonging to factions of … continue reading -> “Nearly 50 Dead as Iraq Protests Take New Violent Turn”

California officials warned on Saturday that “historic and extreme” wind conditions were set to fan raging wildfires in the north of the state as millions of residents face power cuts. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as the so-called Kincade Fire spread to 23,700 acres (9,591 hectares) after breaking out on Wednesday in … continue reading -> “Millions Face Power Cuts as California Fires Spread”

Bolivians blocked streets in La Paz on Friday demanding an audit of a controversial election count that handed President Evo Morales a outright win and with it a fourth consecutive term that would extend his rule to nearly two decades. Morales, 59, who swept to power in 2006 as the country’s first indigenous leader, claimed … continue reading -> “Bolivians Block Roads in Protest as Morales Election Win Splits Nation”

The family of Ali Wezir is in agony in Syria’s Kurdish town of Hasakah after hearing that Wezir has set himself on fire outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland to protest a Turkish incursion in northeast Syria. VOA’s Zana Omar reports.   …

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have issued three more subpoenas to U.S. officials as part of their impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. The House committees leading the impeachment investigation demanded to hear testimony from Ulrich Brechbuhl, a key aide to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as two officials in the … continue reading -> “House Democrats Issue 3 More Subpoenas in Impeachment Inquiry “

Botswana’s chief justice says President Mokgweetsi Masisi will remain in office after his ruling party won enough parliament seats in this week’s election.  The final results are not yet complete, but Chief Justice Terence Rannowane said Friday the ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won the needed 29 seats in the National Assembly. The long-peaceful southern … continue reading -> “Botswana’s President to Stay in Office After Parliament Win”

The power of music and art to influence generations is well documented, and that’s sometimes why authoritarian regimes tend to silence artists. The brutal Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia is no different and a huge percentage of Cambodia’s musicians and artists were killed during the Pol Pot Regime. But some remember, and their tales can … continue reading -> “Cambodian Musicians Heal Through Music”