Zany Mique needs little reminding of the dark time in Philippine history 45 years ago when dictator Ferdinand Marcos placed the nation under martial law. She was imprisoned twice during that nine-year period – an era marked by widespread human rights abuses including extrajudicial killings, torture and incarcerations.
But she is worried others might forget just how dark that period was – particularly given President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement that he is considering…
Let the ‘drag race’ begin: New Zealand heads to the polls in knife-edge election
New Zealand was voting on Saturday in a cliffhanger election pitting conservative Prime Minister Bill English against charismatic young rival Jacinda Ardern.
The campaign has been the most volatile in recent memory, with momentum swinging from English to Ardern and then back again.
“This election is going to be really close … it’s a drag race between the two big parties,” English said, conceding a large undecided vote could prove key.
No party has claimed a majority…
Seven members of UN Security Council asks Secretary-General Guterres for briefing on Myanmar
Seven members of the United Nations Security Council, including the United States and Britain, on Friday asked UN chief Antonio Guterres to publicly brief the 15-member body next week on the violence in Myanmar that he has described as ethnic cleansing. Sweden, the United States, Britain, France, Egypt, Senegal, and Kazakhstan want Ethiopia, president of the council for September, to arrange the briefing for next week, according to the request. More than 422,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled…
Scottish courts to revise proposals for ‘digital’ summary criminal justice system
Plans to modernise the summary criminal justice system in Scotland will be taken forward, albeit with substantial modifications, the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) has announced.
MPs announce wide-ranging inquiry into pension freedoms
The House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee has begun a wide-ranging inquiry into the success and effectiveness of the 2015 pension reforms.
Europe plans supervision reforms to boost CMU and fintech
The European Commission has proposed changes to financial supervision within the bloc, claiming this will help in the creation of a full capital markets union (CMU) and boost the development of financial technology, or fintech, products.
What military options are open to the US in tackling North Korea?
The United States has not been shy about threatening military action against North Korea.
As Pyongyang continues its march towards nuclearisation, US President Donald Trump has threatened to “totally destroy” the reclusive authoritarian regime with “fire and fury”, reiterating that “all options are on the table”. But he did not say how and when.
US Secretary of Defence James Mattis earlier threatened North Korea with a “massive military response”…
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urges UN to help create safe zones for Rohingya refugees
Bangladesh’s prime minister on Thursday proposed creating UN-supervised safe zones inside Myanmar to protect Rohingya Muslims who are fleeing a military crackdown to seek refuge in her country.
“These people must be able to return to their homeland in safety, security and dignity,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the UN General Assembly.
The UN says more than 420,000 Rohingya have fled for safety to Bangladesh in the face of an army campaign in northern Rakhine state that…
New sentencing guidelines have shown up shortcomings in corporate manslaughter legislation, says expert
ANALYSIS: The impact of the new sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences has shown up the fundamental shortcomings of the dedicated legislation dealing with corporate manslaughter and corporate homicide.
Buddhist mob try to block Red Cross aid shipment to Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar
Hundreds of Buddhists in Myanmar tried to block a shipment of aid to Muslims in Rakhine state where the United Nations has accused the military of ethnic cleansing, with a witness saying protesters threw petrol bombs before police dispersed them by firing into the air.
The shipment, being organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was bound for the north of the state where insurgent attacks on August 25 sparked a military backlash.
The violence has sent more than 420,000…