Japan opens Digital Agency to boost government technology
TOKYO (AP) — Japan looked to give a technological upgrade to government services and recordkeeping with the Digital Agency opened Wednesday to overhaul antiquated systems that have had their shortfalls highlighted by the pandemic.
Israel promotes military handler of agent who spied on U.S.
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is granting a promotion to the handler of an agent who spied on the United States, more than 30 years after the episode strained U.S.-Israel ties and less than a year after the handler was pardoned
German police arrest man in killings of his wife and child
BERLIN (AP) — Police in eastern Germany say they have arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of killing his wife and young child.
Restaurants, malls reopen as Thai virus restrictions eased
BANGKOK (AP) — Shopping malls, restaurants, parks and schools reopened in Thailand's capital on Wednesday after the government eased restrictions intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Concerts nixed, activists sentenced in Hong Kong crackdown
HONG KONG (AP) — A popular Hong Kong singer and pro-democracy activist will not be allowed to perform at one of the city’s top theaters later this month, in an indication that a crackdown by authorities on dissent is reaching
Xinjiang genocide conference aims to up pressure on China
LONDON (AP) — Leading scholars and lawyers are joining politicians and human rights groups in Britain Wednesday for the first large-scale conference to discuss the Chinese government’s alleged genocide against the Uyghur ethnic group in the northwest X...
Train station protests fizzle in Italy as COVID passes start
ROME (AP) — Police outnumbered demonstrators at several of Italy's main train stations as COVID-19 vaccination or tests became mandatory Wednesday for long-distance travel within the country. Threats by some of the rule's opponents to block railroad tr...
Liberals highlight contrast with Conservatives on abortion, guns
OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau aimed Wednesday to distinguish the Liberals from Erin O'Toole's Conservatives with promises to enshrine abortion services in the Canada Health Act and toughen measures to ban an array of firearms. The pledges came in a Liberal r...
‘Social movement’: Alberta’s energy ‘war room’ planning broad new ad campaign
EDMONTON — Alberta's Canadian Energy Centre appears ready to be vocal again, planning a new campaign to "change perceptions" about the province's oil and gas industry and build what it's calling a social movement in its support. One year after the
Quebec launches COVID-19 vaccine passport system across province
MONTREAL — Quebec's vaccine passport system was launched on Wednesday, and while Montreal business owners said the day generally went well, they lamented the thought of turning potential clients away and increasing their employees' workloads. Hamid Kia...