Breaking News, Latest Philippines Headlines, World, Entertainment, Politics, Weather & Video News
TAIPEI, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – Two Chinese balloons flew across the sensitive median line separating Taiwan from China, the self-ruled island’s Defence Ministry said on Monday, the second time it has reported a sighting this month. Chinese balloons became a politically fraught topic in February when the United States shot down what it called a spy balloon, but that Beijing said was a civilian airship blown off course. While China has in recent years […]
SEOUL, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – North Korea fired its most powerful and advanced solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on Monday, extending a record-breaking run of weapons tests this year that have been condemned by the West. The move follows leader Kim Jong-un’s declaration last year that Pyongyang is an “irreversible” nuclear power. Here is a look at North Korea’s arsenal: – Intercontinental ballistic missiles – Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) have a minimum range of 5,500 […]
By Sunghee Hwang SEOUL, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – North Korea on Monday test-fired its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile that has the potential to reach the United States, extending a record-breaking number of weapons tests this year and triggering further international condemnation. South Korea said the North fired an ICBM that used solid fuel, which makes missiles easier to transport and faster to fire than liquid-fuelled versions. Monday’s launch was the third time the […]
By Sunghee Hwang SEOUL, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – North Korea fired another internationally banned “long-range ballistic missile” on Monday, the South’s military said, after Pyongyang voiced outrage over deeper nuclear cooperation between Seoul and Washington. The ballistic launch followed firing overnight Sunday by the North of a short-range missile, extending a record-breaking number of weapons tests this year that have been condemned by the West. The back-to-back launches also come after another bout of […]
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Washington on Saturday reiterated its warning to North Korea that any nuclear attack on the United States would result “in the end of the Kim regime.” A joint statement by the US-South Korean Nuclear Consultative Group also reaffirmed that any nuclear attack by Pyongyang on South Korea “will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response.” “The United States reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to provide extended deterrence to the ROK (Republic […]
BANGKOK (AFP) – Ethnic minority fighters battling Myanmar’s junta said Saturday they seized a trading hub in Shan state, days after China said it had mediated a temporary ceasefire. Clashes have raged across Myanmar’s northern Shan state since the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched a joint offensive late October. The three allied groups — known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance — say […]
TOKYO, Dec 17, 2023 (AFP) – Southeast Asian and Japanese leaders agreed on Sunday to boost dialogue and cooperation in “maritime security” in the face of China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a vital trade corridor, and its increased deployment of vessels and other methods to assert its claims in disputed areas have riled nations across the region as well as Washington. Japan and the Association […]
By Jing Xuan TENG SHANGHAI, Dec 15, 2023 (AFP) – Chinese social media users reported on Friday that they had been warned against posting “pessimistic” views about the economy, in a sign of growing political sensitivity as China struggles to boost growth. China’s economy is battling headwinds on multiple fronts and Beijing’s leadership said this month its recovery was confronting “difficulties and challenges”. Several people told AFP that social media platform Weibo had sent them […]
BEIJING, Dec 14, 2023 (AFP) – Beijing said on Thursday it had mediated a temporary ceasefire in fighting between the Myanmar junta and ethnic minority armed groups in the north of the country close to the Chinese border. Recent talks between Myanmar’s military and the groups, facilitated by China, resulted in several agreements “including the temporary ceasefire and maintaining the momentum of dialogue”, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in a statement. Clashes […]
MANILA, Dec 15, 2023 (AFP) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said Friday he has ordered a study on whether the country’s constitution needed to be revised to draw more foreign investment. In his first public comments on the politically charged issue since becoming president last year, Marcos said certain laws drawn from the constitution either ban or discourage foreign investors from some parts of the economy. The Philippines adopted its new constitution in 1987, limiting […]
BEIJING, Dec 15, 2023 (AFP) – China lashed out at Britain and the United States Friday after they condemned Hong Kong police for offering bounties for information leading to the capture of five overseas activists. Hong Kong authorities said Thursday that the five, who fled the city after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020, would be pursued “till the end” and offered HK$1,000,000 ($128,000) bounties for help catching them. The move was strongly […]
BEIJING, Dec 15, 2023 (AFP) – An evening rush-hour accident on the Beijing metro left 102 people with fractures after a rear-end collision on an above-ground section of tracks, state media reported Friday. The Chinese capital — where such incidents are rare — has been hit by snowstorms in recent days, affecting operating conditions and resulting in transport delays across the city. The accident occurred at 6:57 pm (1057 GMT) Thursday, when the last two […]
