World

    • David Stuurman: The South African who twice escaped Robben Island
      BBC

      David Stuurman: The South African who twice escaped Robben Island

      Anti-colonialist David Stuurman was held on the notorious prison island long before Nelson Mandela.

    • North criticizes US-South Korean drills before allies meet
      Associated Press

      North criticizes US-South Korean drills before allies meet

      In North Korea’s first comments directed at the Biden administration, Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister criticized the United States and South Korea for holding military exercises and warned the U.S. against further provocations if it wants a “good night’s sleep for the next four years.” Kim Yo Jong’s statement Tuesday was issued as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Asia to talk to U.S. allies Japan and South Korea about North Korea and other regional issues.

    • UN Women: COVID-19 is `most discriminatory crisis' for women
      Associated Press

      UN Women: COVID-19 is `most discriminatory crisis' for women

      The head of UN Women called the COVID-19 pandemic “the most discriminatory crisis” that women and girls have ever experienced on Monday, pointing to women losing jobs far more often than men, a “shadow pandemic” of domestic violence, and 47 million more women being pushed into living on less than $1.90 a day this year. Emerging from the pandemic, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said the world also faces more orphans and child-headed homes, an increase in child marriage, 59 percent of women reporting having to spend more time on domestic work since the pandemic began, and a digital gender gap leaving many women unprepared for the future. Mlambo-Ngcuka, the executive director of the U.N. women’s agency, said the World Health Organization’s latest report shows that the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the past 12 months -- 16% -- was against young women aged 15 to 24.

    • Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union suffered defeats in two regional elections
      Axios

      Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union suffered defeats in two regional elections

      Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered embarrassing defeats in two regional elections on Sunday, casting doubt on the party’s chances of retaining power after Chancellor Angela Merkel steps down later this year.Why it matters: The defeats also damage new CDU leader Armin Laschet’s chances of representing the German center-right in September’s general elections.Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for freeEven after winning the party’s leadership in January, Laschet could be passed over in favor of the leader of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, Markus Söder, when it comes time to pick a nominee for chancellor.Laschet attributed the defeats to voters' concerns about the government's management of the pandemic amid a slow vaccine rollout and rising cases.The state of play: The CDU is still likely to be the largest party after September’s elections, and may lead a coalition with the increasingly popular Greens.But there’s growing speculation about a “traffic light” coalition (so named because of the parties' colors) between the Greens, Social Democrats and Free Democrats, which would exclude the CDU after 16 years of Merkel.What to watch: The next round of regional elections will come in June.Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.

    • PR 易達集運wire

      AJC Urges UN Member States to Adopt IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism

      AJC Urges UN Member States to Adopt IHRA Working Definition of AntisemitismPR 易達集運wireNEW YORK, March 15, 2021NEW YORK, March 15, 2021 /PR易達集運wire/ -- Jason Isaacson, American Jewish Committee (AJC) Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer, today called for all UN member states to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism."To combat antisemitism, those in positions of authority – whether in the classroom, or in law enforcement, or in a sports club – must be able to identify it," said Isaacson, addressing the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) conference on "Exploring Holistic Approaches to Combating Antisemitism.