China to mark 70th anniv with massive
military parade in Beijing
AFP, Beijing
China marks 70 years of Communist rule next week, with a massive military parade in Beijing anchoring celebrations of its emergence as a global superpower, despite a damaging year of trade tensions with the US and pro-democracy unrest in Hong Kong.
The anniversary is meant to showcase China’s extraordinary rise from the ravages of war and famine to a modern, powerful nation state whose economic and military muscle is viewed by many with increasing concern.
UK MPs return after bombshell court ruling
AFP, London
British MPs returned to parliament on Wednesday following a momentous Supreme Court ruling that struck down Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend the house weeks before the Brexit deadline.
The judgement has hit Johnson’s authority, prompting calls for his resignation and cast further doubt on his promise to pull Britain out of the EU on October 31, come what may.
S Korean President calls for closer ties with N Korea
AP, United Nations
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday called for deeper engagement with rival North Korea in return for progress on nuclear disarmament.
Moon, who has long pushed for closer ties between the Koreas, also told leaders gathered at the U.N. General Assembly in New York that his nation “will guarantee the security of North Korea. I hope North Korea will do the same for South Korea.”
Israel arrests Palestinian minister of Jerusalem affairs
AP, Jerusalem
Israeli police say they have arrested the Palestinian minister of Jerusalem affairs for conducting political activity in east Jerusalem.
Fadi al-Hadami is charged with allegedly breaking a law prohibiting political activity in Jerusalem by the Palestinian Authority, which is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfled said al-Hadami was detained early Wednesday. The PA-appointed governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Gheit, is also being sought for the same offense.
Algerian ex-president’s brother, others convicted
AP, Algiers
An Algerian military court sentenced the brother of the country’s longtime former leader and two ex-intelligence chiefs to 15 years in prison Wednesday for plotting against the state, according to Algerian news reports.
The unprecedented trial and conviction of these men who once wielded immense power is another blow to the regime of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was forced out as president by street protests and the army chief in April. Africa’s largest country is now struggling to find a new political path.
