World news

US Ambassador to China stepping down as tensions with Beijing rise

By Reuters staff, published by Swissinfo.ch Beijing – US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad will retire and leave Beijing early next month, the embassy said today (Sept. 14, 2020) Branstad, 73 years old and a former governor of Iowa, leaves at a time when relations are strained, notably over bilateral trade, allegations about information security,

Read more
World news

Vietnam backs US role in South China Sea, rebuffing Beijing at Asean meeting

By Bloomberg, published by Straits Times Hanoi – Southeast Asian countries want the United States to play a role in maintaining peace in the South China Sea, Vietnam said, pushing back against Beijing’s comments that American forces were destabilising the region. “We welcome the US’ constructive and responsive contributions to Asean’s efforts to maintaining the

Read more
World news

US orders China to close consulate in Houston — China vows retaliation

By agencies, published by Channel NewsAsia Copenhagen: The US State Department said today (July 22) that the closing of China’s consulate in Houston was to protect Americans’ intellectual property and private information, a move that has further strained the already tense relations between the world powers. Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said that under the Vienna Convention,

Read more
World news

Protests over George Floyd death overwhelm authorities again

By Aaron Morrison and Tim Sullivan Associated Press, published by ABC News Minneapolis – Fires burned unchecked and thousands protesting the police killing of George Floyd ignored a curfew as unrest overwhelmed authorities for another night in Minneapolis, and the governor acknowledged today (May 30) that he didn’t have enough manpower to contain the chaos.

Read more