China Positions Itself as Force for Global Stability at Its Annual Congress

BEIJING (AP) — While much of the world’s attention is on the Iran war, that hasn’t stopped China from moving ahead with national priorities with global repercussions. Not that China doesn’t care about the war and its impact on energy supplies and geopolitics. But for the world’s second largest economy, its growing rivalry with the …

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China’s New Ethnic Unity Law Could Target Taiwanese, Taipei Officials Warn

TAIPEI, March 12 (Reuters) – A new Chinese law on ethnic unity ⁠could ⁠give Beijing another legal basis to go ⁠after Taiwanese it views as separatists given language it contains on protecting China’s ​sovereignty and security, officials in Taipei say. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, already has laws and regulations …

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UN Panel Says Racist Hate Speech by Trump and Other US Leaders Has Led to Human Rights Violations

GENEVA (AP) — A U.N.-backed panel of independent experts focusing on racial discrimination says racist hate speech by U.S. President Donald Trump and other American political leaders, along with a crackdown on immigration in the United States, have led to “grave human rights violations.” The Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued its …

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Italian Base in Iraqi Kurdistan Hit by Missile, Defence Ministry Says

ROME, March 12 (Reuters) – ⁠An ⁠Italian military ⁠base in Iraqi Kurdistan was ​struck by a missile overnight ‌though no injuries ‌were reported, the ⁠Italian ⁠defence ministry said on Thursday. “A missile hit our ​base in Erbil. There are no casualties or injuries ​among the Italian personnel. They are ⁠all ⁠fine,” the ministry ⁠said ​on …

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France’s Far Right Taps Into Security Fears in Marseille Mayoral Race

MARSEILLE, March 12 (Reuters) – Security-focused campaign videos by the far-right National Rally candidate shaking up ⁠Marseille’s ⁠mayoral race have helped die-hard supporter Marie-Helene Martin convince previously ⁠reticent relatives to vote for him, she said. To rousing music, Franck Allisio promises to triple the number of municipal cops, double the ​number of security cameras and …

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US Sued by Food Stamp Recipients Over Restrictions on Sugary Drinks, Candy

March 11 (Reuters) – Food stamp recipients ⁠sued ⁠the U.S. Department of Agriculture ⁠on Wednesday to undo Trump administration efforts to prevent them ​from using benefits to buy products such as sugary drinks, energy drinks and candy. In a ‌complaint filed in the Washington, ‌D.C. federal court, five plaintiffs said the restrictions “destabilize food access” …

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