TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) – by Ali NOORANI Iran said Thursday it had hanged 20 “terrorist” Sunni prisoners, in one of the Islamic republic’s biggest mass executions in recent years. The men, who were hanged on Tuesday, were accused of carrying out a string of attacks against civilians and religious leaders in Iran’s western Kurdish region, state media reported. Iran’s intelligence ministry earlier issued a statement detailing 24 armed attacks between 2009 and 2011, including bombings […]
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Iran executes 20 Sunni ‘terrorists’ in one day: state media
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran has executed a group of 20 “terrorist” Sunni prisoners for committing several murders and undermining national security, state media reported on Thursday. “These people had committed murder… killed women and children, caused destructions and acted against the security and killed Sunni religious leaders in some Kurdish regions,” IRIB television quoted Prosecutor General Mohammad Javad Montazeri. He said all the executions happened on Tuesday. © 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse
Dubai airport flights resume after Emirates accident
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Dubai airport, the world’s busiest in terms of international passengers, resumed flights on Wednesday after a nearly four-hour shutdown caused by an accident involving an Emirates plane, authorities said. Dubai International Airport resumes operations for departure & arrival flights,” said the government’s official Twitter account. All 300 passengers on board the plane coming from India were evacuated safely, the government has said, as footage on social media showed smoke […]
Avoid China-claimed shoal, Philippines tells fishermen
The Philippines told its fishermen Wednesday to steer clear of a fishing ground in the disputed South China Sea to avoid harassment from Chinese authorities. The warning came despite a recent ruling by a UN-backed tribunal in favour of the Philippines, as it dismissed China’s territorial claims to large swathes of the waters. Beijing angrily rejected the court’s judgement and on Tuesday it announced penalties for “illegal” fishing in its waters including the disputed areas. […]
Japan says N. Korea missile test ‘outrageous act’
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday condemned a North Korean test missile that landed 250 kilometres (155 miles) off Japan’s coast as an “outrageous act” which threatened his country. “It’s a serious threat against our country’s security,” Abe told reporters. “This is an outrageous act that cannot be tolerated.” Defence minister Gen Nakatani said the missile landed in the Sea of Japan off the north coast in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone […]
N. Korea test fires ballistic missile: S. Korea defence ministry
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea on Wednesday test-fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, South Korea’s defense ministry said, in an apparent reaction to the planned deployment of a US missile defense system. The missile was launched from near the western city of Unyul at around 07:50 am Wednesday (22:50 GMT Tuesday), it added. The test follows the launch of three ballistic missiles on July 19 in what the North said […]
China must prepare for ‘people’s war at sea’: minister
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s Defense Minister has urged preparations for a “people’s war at sea” to counter offshore security threats and safeguard sovereignty, state media reported Tuesday. Chang Wanquan’s comments came several weeks after an international tribunal dismissed the country’s claim to most of the South China Sea, a judgement it angrily rejected. Chang “called for recognition of the seriousness of the national security situation, especially the threat from the sea”, Xinhua news agency […]
Japan approves huge stimulus for sluggish economy
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) – by Daniel LEUSSINK Japan’s cabinet Tuesday approved a mammoth 28-trillion yen ($273 billion) package in its latest attempt to stimulate lacklustre growth, including cash to improve infrastructure and raise the birthrate in the ageing nation. The stimulus plan announced last week is the latest in a series in recent years designed to fire up the world’s number three economy. “We have been able to put together a strong package that includes bold […]
Japan warns China over territorial aggression
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) – Beijing risks triggering unintended conflict with Asian rivals through its aggressive stance in maritime disputes, Japan warned Tuesday in an annual security assessment. China’s sweeping claims over the strategic South China Sea, where it has built a series of artificial islands capable of supporting military operations despite overlapping claims from other nations, have stoked international alarm. The region’s superpower “continues to act in an assertive manner” and its actions “include dangerous […]
Anger as Hong Kong pro-independence leader barred from polls
HONG KONG, China (AFP) – A high-profile Hong Kong pro-independence leader said Tuesday he had been barred from standing in upcoming parliamentary elections — the latest candidate backing separation from mainland China to be disqualified. The apparent ban for Edward Leung, of the Hong Kong Indigenous party, from the September vote came despite him signing a controversial new form declaring Hong Kong is an “inalienable” part of China. Critics have slammed the new stipulation by electoral […]
Beijing tightens maritime rules after S. China Sea case
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Beijing on Tuesday announced penalties for “illegal” fishing in its waters, including those it claims in the South China Sea, weeks after an international tribunal ruled that those claims have no legal basis. The Supreme Court defined penalties for boats operating in areas, including the disputed region and its contiguous economic zones, in a move that could raise regional tensions The decision appears to be an attempt to strengthen Chinese rules […]
Japan warns China over territorial aggression
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Beijing risks triggering unintended conflict with Asian rivals through its aggressive stance in maritime disputes, Japan warned Tuesday in an annual security assessment. China’s sweeping claims over the strategic South China Sea, where it has built a series of artificial islands capable of supporting military operations despite overlapping claims from other nations, have stoked international alarm. The region’s superpower “continues to act in an assertive manner” and its actions “include dangerous […]
