Global stock markets rallied Tuesday on hopes that China will ease its weeks-long COVID lockdown and gradually reopen businesses.European exchanges closed higher and Wall Street's main indices also rose, spurred as well by a nearly one-percent rise in April retail sales."We've seen a much more positive vibe around European equity markets today, with reports out of Asia suggesting that China might be close to looking to ease some of its COVID restrictions, as case rates come dow

Hundreds were arrested after violent clashes between anti-lockdown protesters and police in Australia's two largest cities Saturday as the country recorded its sharpest rise in daily COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.Sydney's state of New South Wales (NSW) posted 825 infections – a record for the entire country – a day after authorities extended the city's lockdown until at least September to try to head off the Delta variant."No matter how hard we work, no matter if

Thai police shot rubber bullets and used water cannon and tear gas against pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok on Sunday at a rally outside a military barracks housing the prime minister's residence.A youth-led protest movement calling for the resignation of Prayut Chan-o-cha's government had lost steam in recent months following a second wave of coronavirus infections in Thailand.But the recent detention of four prominent protest leaders on royal defamation charges has given it a s

Hundreds of teachers and students protested at a Myanmar university Friday as the military widened a dragnet against officials ousted in a coup that has drawn global condemnation and the threat of new sanctions.The rally took place after the arrest of Win Htein, a key aide to de facto leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi, who has not been seen in public since being detained along with president Win Myint early Monday. A representative of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) said Fr

Thousands of democracy activists blocked a major junction in Bangkok for several hours on Friday to rehearse "coup prevention" strategies in the latest round of Thailand's anti-government protests.The country has for months been rocked by youth-led protests demanding a new constitution, reform of the untouchable monarchy, and for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign.Prayut, who came to power in a 2014 coup, this week played down the prospects of being overthrown or introd

Thousands of riot police were stationed across Hong Kong on Thursday to stamp out any large democracy rallies as the restless financial hub marked China's National Day under the shadow of a growing crackdown on dissent.The People's Republic of China celebrates its founding on 1 October with a holiday and carefully choreographed festivities.But in Hong Kong, it has become a day of grievance for those worried about authoritarian Beijing's encroachment on freedoms.Helicop

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's Grand Palace on Saturday, in a huge rally calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy.The kingdom has seen near-daily gatherings of youth-led groups since mid-July calling for the resignation of Prayut, the former army chief behind the 2014 coup, and a complete overhaul of his administration.Some are also demanding reforms to Thailand's ultra-wealthy and power

Tomorrow, most Thais will wait with bated breath as possibly the largest rally since the military coup of 2014 takes place.

Last week, news reports in Thailand revealed that as many as 10,000 anti-government opponents had registered for the “Run Against Dictatorship” event organised by the Future Forward Party. The event is set to take place this Sunday in the country’s capital city, Bangkok.Thai pro-government supporters have decided that they would stage a rival walk on the same day.