Singapore president stops execution of 2 death row inmates
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Singapore's president has ordered a delay in the execution of two men sentenced to death who are believed to be mentally disabled, a lawyer said Thursday.
Japan eases border controls amid criticism as exclusionist
TOKYO (AP) — Japan announced Thursday it will ease its tough COVID-19 border controls by increasing the number of people allowed to enter each day and reducing quarantine requirements following criticism that its current policy is unscientific and xeno...
Maple Leaf flies at protests, the flag is a collective symbol with individual meaning
VANCOUVER — The symbolism attached to national flags often revolves around patriotism, but experts say the Maple Leaf’s prominent appearance at COVID-19 mandate protests comes at a moment of reflection for Canada. Canadians might not be known as ferve...
Police make arrests as Ottawa blockade members defy orders to leave
OTTAWA — Police arrested two of the main organizers behind an antigovernment demonstration on Parliament Hill late Thursday, as large trucks continued to ignore demands they leave an ongoing blockade that has antagonized residents for weeks. Keith Wils...
Unvaccinated truckers delivering vaccines, COVID devices exempt from border rules
OTTAWA — Unvaccinated truckers bringing COVID-19 vaccines and medical devices into Canada to combat the pandemic are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements at the border, a government order says. The exemption is due to the "urgent public hea...
Vaccine policies ‘no longer necessary,’ Ontario top doc wants to remove them March 1
TORONTO — Ontario's top doctor wants to end workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies by early next month when proof-of-vaccination rules will lift in other businesses and indoor settings. Now that COVID-19 hospitalizations and other indicators are impro...
France and EU to withdraw troops from Mali, remain in region
PARIS (AP) — France announced Thursday that it will no longer have troops in Mali by the summer amid tensions with the country's ruling military junta, although Paris intends to maintain a military presence in neighboring West African nations.
Albania court overturns president’s impeachment
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s Constitutional Court has overturned parliament's impeachment of President Ilir Meta for allegedly inciting instability and showing bias before the country's parliamentary election last year.
Far-right French candidate makes taboo term his mantra
PARIS (AP) — Two words, taboo for many in France because they evoke a conspiracy theory embraced by white supremacists, have been haunting the French presidential campaign.
With fast-track passports, Russia extends clout in Ukraine
MOSCOW (AP) — Ivan Malyuta, a resident of Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists, applied for Russian citizenship this month and said he, his wife and three children will soon be getting Russian passports.
