AMMAN, Jordan (AFP) — Five Jordanian intelligence agents were killed in an attack on their office in a Palestinian refugee camp north of the capital Amman on Monday, government spokesman Mohammed Momani said. “The intelligence agency office in the Baqa’a camp was the target of a cowardly attack shortly before 7:00 am (0400 GMT) today that left five agents dead,” Momani said. msh/ila/kir/mm © 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse
Asia
South China Sea casts shadow over opening of key US-China talks
by Benjamin Carlson BEIJING, China (AFP) — President Xi Jinping said China and the US needed to trust each other more as both sides sought to minimize tensions over the South China Sea at the opening Monday of key annual talks in Beijing. China claims nearly all of the strategically vital sea despite competing claims by several Southeast Asian neighbors, and has rapidly built artificial islands suitable for military use. Washington has responded by sending […]
China hits at US ‘provocations’, says doesn’t fear ‘trouble’
SINGAPORE (AFP) — China on Sunday hit out at US “provocations” and said it does not fear “trouble” over its territorial disputes with neighbors in the South China Sea. “Countries outside should play a constructive role in this regard, not the other way around. The South China Sea issue has become overheated because of the provocations of certain countries for their own selfish interests,” Admiral Sun Jianguo told a security summit in Singapore. Sun spoke […]
Thousands flee Sri Lanka ammunition depot explosions
by Amal JAYASINGHE COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AFP) — A series of explosions rocked a military ammunition depot on the edge of Sri Lanka’s capital into Monday, sparking huge fires and forcing thousands to flee as debris fell into populated neighborhoods. Police said the explosions at the Salawa military post had diminished in strength but nearby residents were being told to stay away because intermittent blasts were still erupting, 10 hours after the first one was […]
Maritime disputes loom large as US, China hold talks
by Nicolas REVISE BEIJING, China (AFP) — Mounting tensions over South China Sea territorial rows could overshadow US-China talks in Beijing Monday, after the two global powers exchanged barbs over the disputed waterway. China claims nearly all of the sea despite competing declarations by several Southeast Asian neighbors and has built artificial islands suitable for military use in the South China Sea. Washington has responded by sending warships close to Chinese-claimed reefs, angering Beijing. Tensions […]
Philippines’ Duterte tells mining companies to ‘shape up’
Reuters) Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte warned mining companies to “shape up”, as he signaled he would prefer ownership of mining assets to be left to local investors. He also said the incoming government may rewrite rules to limit environmental degradation in the sector. Duterte, who assumes office on June 30, has named nearly all his cabinet members this week but has yet to appoint a new minister that will oversee the Southeast Asian country’s mining […]
Maritime tensions loom large as the United States and China hold talks
Beijing, China (AFP)—-Mounting tensions over South China Sea territorial rows could overshadow United States-China talks in Beijing Monday, after the two global powers exchanged barbs over the disputed waterway. China claims nearly all of the sea despite competing declarations by several Southeast Asian neighbors, and has built artificial islands suitable for military use in the South China Sea. Washington has responded by sending warships close to Chinese-claimed reefs, angering Beijing. Tensions mounted after the […]
China urged to cooperate as Asia worries about South China Sea row
(Reuters) China came under pressure from the United States and Asian powers to rein in its actions in the South China Sea, with the U.S. defense secretary urging Beijing to join in on regional cooperation or risk erecting a “Great Wall of self-isolation.” U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter encouraged China to participate in a “principled security network” for Asia to help counter concerns about its strategic intentions following “expansive and unprecedented actions” in the South […]
Japan dad apologises for abandoning son, thanks rescuers
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The father of a seven-year-old Japanese boy who went missing for nearly a week after his parents abandoned him in a mountain forest as punishment apologized on Friday hours after his son was found safe. “My excessive act forced my son to have a painful time,” Yamato Tanooka’s father told reporters outside the hospital where his son was being treated. “I deeply apologize to people at his school, people in the […]
White paper on religious freedom in Xinjiang published
(Reuters) — Respect for and protection of freedom of religious belief is China’s long-term basic national policy, stated the white paper “Freedom of Religious Belief in Xinjiang” published by the State Council on Thursday. The paper said Chinese laws protect normal religious activities. Citizens can have all normal religious activities in their own homes or at religious venues in accordance with the customary religious practices, including going to prayers, Ramadan, worshiping Buddha and other […]
Seven-year-old boy missing in Japan forest found alive: officials
by Shingo Ito and Kyoko Hasegawa TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A seven-year-old boy missing since being abandoned in a bear-inhabited forest in northern Japan as a punishment nearly a week ago was found alive on Friday and reunited with his parents, officials said. The boy, apparently unharmed and in good health, was discovered at a military base. Reports said he had taken shelter in a hut and found a tap to drink from but was hungry […]
N. Korea accuses South of abducting more restaurant staff
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea has again accused the South of “premeditated” abduction, following the latest defection of North Korean staff working at a Pyongyang-run restaurant in China. The three North Koreans arrived in Seoul on Wednesday — the second such group defection this year after a dozen employees of another restaurant in China defected to the South in April. “This incident, too, was the organised and premeditated abduction by gangsters of the […]
