Philippines says China remains a 'severe threat' despite easing U.S.-China tensions
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secre...
Tensions have run high in Romania since the election was annulled in December following allegations that Russian interference had propelled far-right NATO critic Calin Georgescu into pole position in the first round.
Analysts had said the three hard-right parties that filed the no-confidence motion - which accused the two-month-old coalition government led by Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of corruption and of losing credibility - had done so to boost their profile before the rerun.
The three parties won around 35% of seats in a parliamentary election on December 1 last year, capitalising on voters' anger with a centrist establishment facing accusations of corruption.
The no-confidence motion was supported by 144 lawmakers, short of the 233 votes needed to pass.
"You are not interested in the problems Romanians are confronting every day," Ciolacu told opposition lawmakers before the vote. "You infect society day by day with the virus of lies and hatred."
"The political chaos you want to bring in Romania will be automatically followed by economic chaos. The euro will reach the sky. All construction sites will be closed. People will live in poverty unable to pay their bills."
Opposition lawmakers shouted "thieves" during his speech.
"You are the ugly face of the system which mocked this country for 35 years," George Simion, the leader of hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians, told Ciolacu.
Prosecutors said on Wednesday they had launched a criminal investigation against Georgescu over accusations including promoting antisemitism. Georgescu has said he will run again.
Members of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration have criticised Romania for annulling the election.
Georgescu, who has praised Romania's 1930s fascist leaders and expressed admiration for both the U.S. and Russian presidents, remains voters' top choice for the presidency, according to opinion polls.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed 15 agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Astana on Thursday (28 May), including deals on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant and expanded oil cooperation with Russia.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Asian allies to increase military spending, warning of growing concern over China’s rapid military expansion and wider activities in the region.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Three Latvian climbers have died after falling on Mount McKinley in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, authorities and a Latvian climbing organisation have said
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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