Asia

UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie visits Syrian refugee camp in Jordan

  (Reuters) — The United Nations Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) Special Envoy Angelina Jolie called on world leaders gathering in New York later this month to put the “root causes of the Syrian conflict and what it will take to end it” at the centre of their discussions. During a visit to the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan on Friday (September 9), Jolie said all of the camp’s 60,000 residents had suffered loss and trauma, yet […]

South Koreans protest against the North’s nuclear test

  (Reuters) — South Korean conservative protesters held an anti-North Korea rally in Seoul on Saturday (September 10) to denounce Pyongyang’s recent nuclear test. About 100 protesters gathered in central Seoul, and chanted anti-North Korea slogans while holding up placards bearing a portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un . Protesters also burned an effigy of Kim Jong Un at the rally. “South Korean people strongly urge the United Nations and the international community […]

At least 15 dead in Bangladesh factory fire

  DHAKA, Bangladesh  (AFP) — At least fifteen people have been killed and 70 injured, many critically, in a huge fire triggered by a boiler explosion at a Bangladeshi packaging factory, officials said Saturday. “The death toll has risen to 15 and at least 70 people have been injured,” Parvez Mia, a doctor at the Tongi state-run hospital, told AFP. “Most of them had burn injuries. We sent the critically injured victims to the hospitals in Dhaka,” […]

Global anger over N. Korea nuclear test as UN set to meet

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) – by Carole LANDRY with Jung Ha-Won in Seoul World powers expressed outrage Friday after North Korea claimed it had successfully tested a nuclear warhead that could be mounted on a missile, prompting urgent UN talks and calls for new sanctions. South Korea, the United States, Japan, Russia and China all condemned the blast at the Punggye-ri nuclear site, the North’s fifth and most powerful yet at 10 kilotons. At the […]

Indonesia, Philippines vow to tackle sea kidnappings

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) – Indonesia and the Philippines on Friday pledged to ensure security on the high seas after a surge of kidnappings by Islamist militants in the strife-torn southern Philippines. At least 25 Indonesian sailors and a handful of Malaysians have been abducted this year travelling in the Sulu Sea between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Philippine Islamist extremist outfit Abu Sayyaf, notorious for carrying out kidnappings-for-ransom, has been blamed for the abductions. Those […]

S.Korea, Japan vow ‘close cooperation’ after nuclear test

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) – South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese leader Shinzo Abe agreed to cooperate closely Friday after North Korea claimed it had successfully tested a nuclear warhead that could be mounted on a missile. The two leaders spoke on the phone about Pyongyang’s test which they agreed was “unacceptable”, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported. The blast at the Punggye-ri nuclear site was the North’s fifth and most powerful yet at […]

North Korea conducts fifth and largest nuclear test: South Korea and Japan

  (REUTERS)  North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on Friday, South Korea and Japan said after meteorological agencies reported a surface-level seismic tremor near the North’s known test site that indicated it was its most powerful yet. The U.S. Geological Survey and European agencies measured the quake, which was recorded at 0030 GMT, with a magnitude of 5.3. Agencies in China, reclusive North Korea’s main diplomatic ally, also recorded the tremor. South Korean President […]

Japan PM Abe says suspected North Korea nuclear test absolutely inadmissible

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said on Friday (September 9) that a nuclear test possibly carried out by North Korea is absolutely inadmissable, and Japan will work closely with the U.N. Security Council to further deal with the situation. “If North Korea did carry out a nuclear test, it is something absolutely inadmissible. We need to and will strongly protest against (their actions),” Abe told reporters. “Also, Japan is currently a […]

Japan shocked at second possible nuclear test in a year by North Korea

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japanese citizens were shocked and concerned at North Korea’s latest nuclear test on Friday (September 9), the second test this year. “It’s just terrifying. As a Japanese citizen, I’d appreciate if the government would take necessary measures against North Korea,” said Hirofumi Murahashi, a 35-year-old company worker. North Korea’s frequent missile launches and nuclear tests have been seen as a threaten to Japan’s national security. “After consecutive provocations, I feel a […]

N. Korea appears to have conducted nuclear test: Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea appears to have conducted a fifth nuclear test Friday, South Korean authorities reportedly said, after monitors detected a 5.3-magnitude earthquake near its main nuclear site. The quake was detected near North Korea’s Pyunggye-ri nuclear test site as the country celebrates Foundation Day, which marks the anniversary of the founding of the nation in 1948. Seoul’s meteorological agency said the tremor, detected by quake monitors around the world including […]

Heavy fighting as Taliban breach southern Afghan city

  KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) – by Mamoon Durrani The Taliban stormed into Tarin Kot Thursday, triggering heavy fighting around government buildings as panicked residents scrambled to flee the capital of southern Uruzgan province, the latest city to be targeted by insurgents. Pitched battles prompted urgent calls from officials for reinforcements and air support, after the militants toppled security posts on the outskirts to breach the city gates. Residents said senior officials were abandoning government buildings and […]

Duterte missed ASEAN meetings with US, India because of illness — Malacanang

(Eagle News)– Government officials explained that President Rodrigo Duterte missed two meetings at the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday (September 8) because he was ill. “He was not feeling well in the morning so he missed the two sessions. But he was able to attend the East Asia Summit with 18 world leaders and the rest of the day’s remaining schedule until departure for Indonesia early evening today,” Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus […]