AFP, Washington
The Pentagon on Wednesday confirmed the presence of five Chinese naval vessels in the Bering Sea between Russia and Alaska, which US President Barack Obama is currently visiting.
It was believed to be the first time Chinese military ships have been spotted in the area and is another sign of China’s global presence expanding far beyond its own shores.
“We respect the freedom of all nations to operate military vessels in international waters in accordance with international law. We are aware of the five People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships in the Bering Sea,” said Commander Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman, confirming a story first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
In Egypt, jailed Islamists ‘dying of neglect’
Reuters, Damietta
Muslim Brotherhood lawmaker Mohammad al-Falahgi was arrested on terror charges in 2013 and held in prison, but never convicted. Earlier this year, after pleading for medical help, he died “handcuffed to the hospital bed,” according to his son Osama.
Falahgi’s family believes his death was deliberate, a way for the Egyptian state to deal with a prisoner it wanted to get rid of. Egyptian and international human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, say cases like Falahgi’s amount to a little-noticed abuse of human rights under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Millions go on strike over ‘anti-labour’ reforms in India
AFP, New Delhi
Millions of workers across India went on strike on Wednesday in protest at Narendra Modi’s economic policies, the biggest show of strength by trade unions since the right-wing prime minister took office.
They say labour law reforms planned by Modi’s government will put jobs at risk, and are demanding it scrap changes that would make it easier to lay off workers and shut down unproductive factories.
IS retakes part of Iraqi town of Baiji
AFP, Washington
Islamic State fighters have regained territory in the contested city of Baiji, home to Iraq’s largest oil refinery, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
Fierce fighting has been taking place for months in and around Baiji, and Iraqi forces and militia fighters had in recent weeks pushed back IS fighters in the northern town.
Liberia declared free of Ebola – again: WHO
AFP, Geneva
The World Health Organization on Thursday announced that Liberia, recently ravaged by Ebola, was free of the virus, 42 days after the last confirmed case passed a second negative test.
“WHO declares Liberia free of Ebola virus transmission in the human population,” the UN health agency said in a statement.
