PHILIPPINES Thousands of protesters have returned to the site of a 1986 revolt that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, this time to condemn his burial at a heroes’ cemetery. Police said at least 3,000 people gathered yesterday at a “people power” monument along the main EDSA highway in metropolitan Manila, chanting “Dig him up.” Millions gathered there three decades ago in a largely peaceful uprising to oust Marcos.
SOUTH KOREA President Park Geun-hye’s conditional resignation offer appears to be causing cracks in what previously had been a strong push for her impeachment, with opponents now struggling to set a date for a vote to strip her of power.
INDONESIA The capital of Muslim-majority Indonesia is on edge ahead of what is expected to be a second massive protest by conservative Muslims against its Christian governor, and no group more so than its Chinese minority.
VIETNAM Authorities have seized nearly a ton of ivory smuggled from Africa after locating nearly five tons in five previous shipments to the same port in the past two months. Ho Chi Minh City’s deputy customs chief, Le Dinh Loi, said the ivory seized was hidden inside timber in two containers that arrived at Cat Lai port and was en route to neighboring Cambodia.
AUSTRALIA Rowdy protesters demonstrating against Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers disrupt Parliament, some gluing their hands to a railing before security officers finally wrested them out.
AUSTRALIA A theme park says it will reopen more than six weeks after four people died in a ride malfunction. Dreamworld on Queensland state’s Gold Coast will reopen to the public with several of its rides operating on Dec. 10, the park owner Ardent Leisure Group told the Australian Securities Exchange.
NEW ZEALAND Disney’s animated movie “Moana” debuted to critical acclaim and box office success over the Thanksgiving weekend, but some people in the South Pacific dislike how it depicts their culture. Of particular concern is the movie’s portrayal of the demigod Maui, who is shown as enormous and egotistical, albeit with a good heart.
VATICAN Pope Francis has met with director Martin Scorsese, whose new film, “Silence,” about Jesuit missionaries in 17th-century Japan, was screened this week in Rome. The Vatican says that during the pontiff’s “very cordial” meeting with Scorsese, Francis mentioned he had read the novel on which the film is based. Francis is a Jesuit who joined the order with the idea of becoming a missionary in Japan, which never materialized.
CUBA Fidel Castro’s ashes have begun a four-day journey from Havana to their final resting place in Santiago, Cuba.
BRAZIL Police in Brasilia have clashed with protesters during a demonstration outside Congress while lawmakers considered legislation that has angered some Brazilians. Police fired tear gas trying to drive off protesters, who overturned cars and smashed windows. Thousands of people joined the demonstration as senators planned to vote on a bill to cap government spending.
No Comments