South Korea Suspends Operations at Kaesong Complex after North Korea’s Rocket Launch

South Korea has decided to suspend operations at Kaesong complex following North Korea’s recent rocket launch and nuclear test. Kaesong is a jointly-run industrial park in North Korea, the last points of co-operation between the two Koreas and a key source of revenue for Pyongyang. South Korea said all operations at the complex would halt,… Continue reading South Korea Suspends Operations at Kaesong Complex after North Korea’s Rocket Launch

Stranded Cuban Refugees Flown from Costa Rica to Mexico-US Border

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A group of 113 Cuban refugees have been flown by the Costa Rican authorities to a Mexican border town, from where they are expected to enter the US. The group, including children and pregnant women, landed in Nuevo Laredo on February 9. They were among thousands stranded in Costa Rica after neighboring Nicaragua denied them… Continue reading Stranded Cuban Refugees Flown from Costa Rica to Mexico-US Border

Clean Power Plan: Supreme Court Blocks Barack Obama’s Climate Change Initiative

The Supreme Court has blocked President Barack Obama’s plans to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide from US power plants. The court ruled that Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan could not go forward until all legal challenges were heard. Designed to cut US emissions by 32% by 2030, the scheme put huge emphasis on a shift… Continue reading Clean Power Plan: Supreme Court Blocks Barack Obama’s Climate Change Initiative

New Hampshire 2016: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders Win Primary

Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have won the presidential race in the New Hampshire primary. Republican Donald Trump is likely to get more than twice the number of votes of the next Republican candidate. Democrat Bernie Sanders, who beat rival Hillary Clinton by a huge margin, said his victory showed people wanted “real change”. Both… Continue reading New Hampshire 2016: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders Win Primary

Barack Obama’s Final Budget Proposal Includes $10.25 per Barrel Oil Tax

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The White House has released the final budget proposal of Barack Obama’s presidency, a $4.1 trillion program that includes a $10.25 per barrel tax on oil. The Republican-controlled Congress is expected to reject it. The leaders of the House and Senate budget committees jointly announced they would not invite Barack Obama’s budget director to testify… Continue reading Barack Obama’s Final Budget Proposal Includes $10.25 per Barrel Oil Tax

Nkandla Case: Jacob Zuma Accepts Public Protectors Report in Constitutional Court

South African President Jacob Zuma has made a U-turn in court over his refusal to repay some of the $23 million of state money used to upgrade his Nkandla home. Jacob Zuma’s lawyer admitted the president was wrong to ignore an anti-corruption watchdog’s report to pay back money spent on features such as a swimming… Continue reading Nkandla Case: Jacob Zuma Accepts Public Protectors Report in Constitutional Court

Germany Train Crash Kills at Least Nine and Injures 100 in Bavaria

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At least nine people have died and more than 100 are injured after two passenger trains have collided in the German state of Bavaria, police say. The head-on crash happened near Bad Aibling, a spa town about 37 miles south-east of Munich. One of the trains was derailed in the crash and several carriages were… Continue reading Germany Train Crash Kills at Least Nine and Injures 100 in Bavaria

Hong Kong Clashes Erupt in Mong Kok District as Police Clear Food Vendors

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Hong Kong police have clashed with protesters in Mong Kok district after clearing of illegal food stalls set up for Lunar New Year celebrations. At least 23 people were arrested. Violence erupted overnight as food and hygiene inspectors tried to remove vendors from the junction of Portland Street and Shan Tung Street. Angry protesters threw… Continue reading Hong Kong Clashes Erupt in Mong Kok District as Police Clear Food Vendors

North Korea Successfully Places Satellite into Orbit

The North Korean satellite launched on February 7 is in orbit but it is not yet clear whether it is working, South Korea’s defense ministry has said. North Korea has said the Kwangmyongsong-4 is a communications satellite and that February 7 launch was a complete success. However, the move was internationally condemned as North Korea… Continue reading North Korea Successfully Places Satellite into Orbit

Venezuela Stores Halve Work Hours to Comply with Energy Rationing Rules

Venezuela’s stores will halve their work hours to four a day in order to comply with the government’s energy rationing rules. According to ministers, a severe drought caused by El Nino has brought 18 of Venezuela’s hydro-electric dams to critically low water levels. A spokesman for Venezuela’s retail association said the drop in working hours… Continue reading Venezuela Stores Halve Work Hours to Comply with Energy Rationing Rules

Haiti: President Michel Martelly Ends Term with No Replacement

Haitian President Michel Martelly has left office at the end of his term amid tension over how he is to be replaced. No successor has yet been chosen as opposition supporters challenge a deal to select an interim leader. The first day of carnival has been called off over the threat of more opposition protests.… Continue reading Haiti: President Michel Martelly Ends Term with No Replacement

GOP Debate 2016: Marco Rubio Targeted by Republican Candidates

Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio was attacked by several GOP rivals for the party’s nomination to run for the White House, in a fractious ABC debate. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie described Marco Rubio, a rising force in the polls, as inexperienced and scripted. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, also assailed by Donald Trump and Jeb… Continue reading GOP Debate 2016: Marco Rubio Targeted by Republican Candidates

North Korea Launches Long-Range Rocket

North Korea has launched a long-range rocket, which critics say is a test of banned missile technology. But according to local media, North Korea had successfully placed a satellite in orbit. The launch was condemned by Japan, South Korea and the US, who have requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on February… Continue reading North Korea Launches Long-Range Rocket

Taiwan Earthquake Kills at Least 13 in Tainan

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At least 13 people have been killed after an earthquake has toppled buildings in the south Taiwanese city of Tainan. The 6.4-magnitude quake struck just before 04:00AM local time when most people were at home asleep. A baby was among at least four people killed when a high-rise building, containing 100 homes, collapsed. At least… Continue reading Taiwan Earthquake Kills at Least 13 in Tainan

NYC Crane Collapse Kills at Least One Person in Lower Manhattan

A massive crane has collapsed in lower Manhattan, killing one person and injuring at least two others. The FDNY confirmed the fatality and is on the scene responding to the accident. The collapse happened along Broadway on February 5 in the Tribeca neighborhood. The downed crane, which filled the street, fell onto numerous parked cars.… Continue reading NYC Crane Collapse Kills at Least One Person in Lower Manhattan

Pope Francis to Meet Patriarch Kirill in Cuba

Pope Francis will meet the head of Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, in Cuba next week. The Russian Orthodox Church said the “persecution of Christians” would be the central theme of the historic meeting. Pope Francis will stop over in Cuba on his way to Mexico. It is the first papal meeting with a Russian… Continue reading Pope Francis to Meet Patriarch Kirill in Cuba

Hillary Clinton Clashes with Bernie Sanders in First One-To-One Democratic Debate

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The first one-to-one Democratic debate saw Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders clashing over Wall Street and foreign policy. Hillary Clinton cast Bernie Sanders as an idealist who will not get things done and Sanders accused the former Secretary of State of being too tied to the establishment to achieve real change. The MSNBC debate in… Continue reading Hillary Clinton Clashes with Bernie Sanders in First One-To-One Democratic Debate

Daraprim Case: Martin Shkreli Invokes Fifth Amendment during Congressional Hearing

Former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli refused to answer questions at a congressional hearing on the company’s drug pricing policy. Martin Shkreli invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination, but sniggered through questions from representatives. Congress is investigating Turing’s 5,000% price increase of Daraprim, a drug used by many AIDS patients. Martin Shkreli asked Congress for… Continue reading Daraprim Case: Martin Shkreli Invokes Fifth Amendment during Congressional Hearing

North Korea Ready for Long-Range Missile Launch

South Korea’s defense ministry and Japanese media say North Korea appears to be preparing to launch a long-range missile. Activity has been spotted at a launch station on the North Korea’west coast of the isolated nation. Earlier this week Pyongyang announced it was planning to launch a satellite at some point in February. North Korea’s… Continue reading North Korea Ready for Long-Range Missile Launch

Donald Trump Accuses Ted Cruz of Fraud and Calls for New Election in Iowa

Donald Trump has called for a new Republican election in Iowa, accusing the winner, Ted Cruz, of fraud. The billionaire pointed to the fact that during the caucus Ted Cruz’s campaign told voters rival Ben Carson planned to quit the race, which was not true. The Cruz campaign apologized to Ben Carson, saying it was… Continue reading Donald Trump Accuses Ted Cruz of Fraud and Calls for New Election in Iowa

White House 2016: Rand Paul Suspends Presidential Campaign

Rand Paul has decided to drop out of the White House race after a disappointing fifth place finish in the Iowa caucuses. The Kentucky senator often clashed with his Republican rivals over their hawkish views on foreign policy and their support of government surveillance. Rand Paul ended his bid in part to focus on his… Continue reading White House 2016: Rand Paul Suspends Presidential Campaign

Nkandla Scandal: Jacob Zuma to Pay for Mansion Upgrade

South African President Jacob Zuma will repay some of the $23 million the government controversially spent on upgrading his private rural home in Nkandla. In 2014, a report by the public protector said Jacob Zuma had “benefited unduly” from the upgrades. President Jacob Zuma said the auditor-general and finance minister should determine how much he… Continue reading Nkandla Scandal: Jacob Zuma to Pay for Mansion Upgrade

Brandon Astor Jones: Georgia Executes Its Oldest Death Row Inmate

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Georgia has executed its oldest death row inmate, 72-year-old Brandon Astor Jones. The man was sentenced to the death penalty 36 years ago, after being convicted of killing a shop manager during a robbery. Brandon Astor Jones’ execution was delayed by several hours after his lawyers filed a last-minute appeal with the Supreme Court. Georgia… Continue reading Brandon Astor Jones: Georgia Executes Its Oldest Death Row Inmate

South Korea Warns North Korea over Satellite Launch

South Korea warns North Korea it will “pay a harsh price” if it goes ahead with its plan to launch a satellite into space. North Korea announced on February 2 it intended to carry out the launch between February 8 and 25. Critics say it is a cover for a test of ballistic missile technology.… Continue reading South Korea Warns North Korea over Satellite Launch

California Methane Leak: SoCal Gas Sued for Safety Violations

California Attorney General Kamala Harris has filed a lawsuit against the Southern California Gas Company, which is responsible for a huge gas leak near Los Angeles. The charges allege that the SoCal Gas violated health and safety laws by failing to report and contain leaking methane. Kamala Harris said the impact had been devastating to… Continue reading California Methane Leak: SoCal Gas Sued for Safety Violations