World News Roundup: Peking University tightens party control, Abe wants to discuss peace treaty with Putin


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 14-11-2018 18:45 IST | Created: 14-11-2018 18:25 IST
World News Roundup: Peking University tightens party control, Abe wants to discuss peace treaty with Putin
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday he wants to discuss a peace treaty with Russia and the North Korean issue with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Putin said last week that Abe told him Tokyo could not immediately sign a peace treaty with Moscow without first resolving their territorial dispute. (Image Credit: Twitter)

China's Peking University tightens party control, curbs activism

China's prestigious Peking University, historically a bastion of student activism, has moved to quash dissent and strengthen Communist Party control after a spate of protests across China on issues ranging from labour rights to #MeToo. The clampdown comes amid an ongoing tightening of control over various aspects of Chinese society since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, a period that has seen increasing censorship and shrinking space for protests, including on campuses.

Turkey making efforts to get U.S. Congress to remove bills against Ankara

Turkey is making efforts to get the U.S. Congress to drop bills targeting Ankara, according to the text of a speech from Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday. The U.S. Senate has demanded a block on sales of F-35 jets to Turkey unless U.S. President Donald Trump certifies that Turkey is not threatening NATO, purchasing defence equipment from Russia or detaining U.S. citizens.

Japan's Abe says wants to discuss a peace treaty with Putin today

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday he wants to discuss a peace treaty with Russia and the North Korean issue with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Putin said last week that Abe told him Tokyo could not immediately sign a peace treaty with Moscow without first resolving their territorial dispute.

British PM May tries to sell Brexit deal to ministers

Prime Minister Theresa May will try to convince senior ministers on Wednesday to accept a draft European Union divorce deal that opponents say threatens both her government and the unity of the United Kingdom. The weakest British leader in a generation, she has to try to get the deal approved by parliament before exiting the bloc on March 29, 2019.

Land reform in South Africa will not violate constitution: Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told the European Parliament on Wednesday that South Africa will enact land reforms in adherence to the country's constitution and with respect for the human rights of all its people. "This problem of land will be resolved through adherence to the rule of law and adherence to the constitution," Ramaphosa told lawmakers.

Pence issues sharp rebuke to Myanmar's Suu Kyi over 'persecution' of Rohingya

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence expressed the Trump administration's strongest condemnation yet of Myanmar's treatment of Rohingya Muslims on Wednesday, telling leader Aung San Suu Kyi that "persecution" by her country's army was "without excuse". Pence also pressed Suu Kyi to pardon two Reuters journalists who were arrested nearly a year ago and sentenced in September to seven years in prison for breaching the Official Secrets Act.

Making waves in West, China luring Pacific islands with Belt and Road

President Xi Jinping will showcase China's Belt and Road initiative to Pacific leaders at a regional summit on Friday, diplomats say, with Western countries watching warily for signs of Beijing's growing clout. The competition for influence between China and Western allies Australia, New Zealand and the United States, is likely to provide a strong undercurrent at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.

Leicester City helicopter crash investigation focusing on the tail rotor

British air accident investigators looking into the cause of the helicopter crash that killed Leicester City soccer club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha said on Wednesday they are focusing on a problem with the tail rotor system. The helicopter's manufacturer has issued a safety alert to all owners of the particular model AW169 involved in the crash, Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch said.

Israeli defence minister quits over Gaza truce in a blow to Netanyahu

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation on Wednesday in protest at a Gaza ceasefire that he called a "capitulation to terror", weakening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative coalition government. "Were I to stay in office, I would not be able to look southern residents in the eye," Lieberman told reporters, referring to Israelis subjected to a surge in Palestinian rocket attacks before Tuesday's truce took hold.

Iran's president: U.S. chose the wrong path on sanctions, will be defeated

The United States has chosen the wrong path in reimposing sanctions on Iran and will be defeated, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday, according to the Tasnim news agency. Washington reinstated sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry on Nov. 5 as it seeks to force the Islamic Republic to accept tougher curbs on its nuclear program, halt its development of ballistic missiles as well as its support for proxy forces in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.

(With inputs from Reuters)

(With inputs from agencies.)

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