News in Brief -2025-02-01

Japan scrambles jets as Russian

bombers fly over high seas

TOKYO, Jan 31: Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian bombers flew over international waters around the country, Tokyo's top government spokesman said Friday. "We confirmed that Russian military bombers and fighter jets flew over the high seas of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan yesterday, and we scrambled Air Self-Defence Force fighter jets" in response, Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. — AFP

Thousands of protesters call for

VP Duterte impeachment

MANILA, Jan 31: Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Manila on Friday, urging the Philippine House of Representatives to impeach Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte. Duterte faces three impeachment complaints over alleged misconduct and misuse of millions of dollars in government funds, but legislators have yet to tackle them just days before Congress adjourns next week ahead of the May midterm elections. The 46-year-old vice president, who is estranged from President Ferdinand Marcos but remains his constitutional successor in case he is unable to perform his duties, has denied the allegations. — AFP

Nicaragua Congress boosts powers of president, wife

SAN JOSÉ, Jan 31: Nicaragua's Congress on Thursday ratified a constitutional reform elevating strongman Daniel Ortega's wife to the post of "co-president" and giving the couple control of all state powers, the legislature announced. Ortega, who is under Western sanctions for human rights abuses, had himself proposed the change, which also increases the Central American country's presidential term from five to six years. — AFP