Asia

Wanted Hong Kong activists in Britain decry ‘harassment’

LONDON, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – A heightened fear for their safety, increased worry for their families, and a desperate search for international support — this is what dominates everyday life for two activists in Britain who are among Hong Kong’s most wanted. Last month, Hong Kong police announced bounties of HK$1 million ($128,000) on eight democratic activists living abroad, encouraging the public to pass on information that could lead to their arrest. Former legislator […]

Philippines says resupply mission reaches remote South China Sea outpost

MANILA, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – The Philippines said a resupply mission had reached a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, despite attempts by Chinese vessels to “block” the boats carrying provisions for Filipino marines. Two Philippine Coast Guard boats escorted two supply vessels to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where a handful of troops are stationed on a crumbling navy ship. They arrived just over two weeks after China […]

Thai parliament elects Srettha Thavisin as PM: AFP count

BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thai lawmakers approved tycoon Srettha Thavisin as the kingdom’s new prime minister on Tuesday, ending three months of political deadlock on the day former premier Thaksin Shinawatra returned from exile. Srettha easily secured a majority across the two houses of parliament to be approved as Thailand’s 30th prime minister, despite his Pheu Thai party coming second in the May election. He sailed past the 374 votes needed for a […]

Children trapped in cable car dangling over Pakistan ravine

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Six children and two adults were suspended inside a cable car dangling over a deep valley in Pakistan for several hours on Tuesday, as a military helicopter hovered nearby. The children were using the chairlift to cross the valley to get to school when a cable broke at a height of up to 1,200 feet (about 365 metres) midway through its journey in a remote, mountainous part of […]

Japan to start releasing Fukushima water on Thursday

By Natsuko FUKUE, Hiroshi HIYAMA TOKYO, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Japan will begin releasing cooling water from the stricken Fukushima power plant on Thursday, 12 years after one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters. The announcement came despite opposition from fishermen and protests by China, which has already banned food shipments from several Japanese prefectures. Japan insists the gradual release into the sea of the more than 500 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of water […]

Ex-PM Thaksin returns to Thailand after 15 years in exile

BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thailand’s divisive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the kingdom Tuesday, after 15 years in exile and hours before parliament votes for a new prime minister. The billionaire landed in a private jet at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport at 9 am (0200 GMT), to be greeted by hundreds of noisy “Red Shirt” supporters waving banners and singing songs. Thaksin emerged briefly from the terminal building to bow and offer a […]

Plane carrying former Thai PM Thaksin lands in Bangkok: local media

BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thailand’s divisive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra touched down by private jet in Bangkok on Tuesday, local media reported, returning to the kingdom after 15 years in exile. Public broadcaster Thai PBS said he arrived at 9:00 am (0200 GMT) and showed footage of the plane at Don Mueang airport. This is a developing story.

Ten killed in light plane crash near Malaysian capital

A light plane crashed into a four-lane road near Malaysia’s capital on Thursday, killing eight people on board and two motorists on the ground, the local police chief said. The plane exploded into a fireball on impact, with thick black smoke seen rising from the site, video clips from the scene showed. “For now, I can say at least 10 people were killed in the plane crash. Two passing motorists — one in a car […]

Search for survivors after Indian floods, landslides kill 65

Rescuers searched Tuesday for people feared missing in floods and landslides that have killed at least 65 in India, including 11 who died in the collapse of a popular temple. Days of torrential downpours have washed away vehicles, demolished buildings and destroyed bridges in the Himalayas. Flooding and landslides are common and cause widespread devastation during India’s treacherous monsoon season, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity. At least 52 people […]

PAL cancels six flights to Japan due to Typhoon Lan

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has canceled six flights between Manila and Japan scheduled for Tuesday due to Typhoon Lan (international name). The flights that were canceled are: PR 438/437 Manila-Nagoya-Manila PR 412/411 Manila-Osaka-Manila PR 407/408 Manila-Osaka-Manila In an advisory on Monday, PAL said it will coordinate closely with concerned airport authorities in Japan and keep a close watch on weather forecasts in case the airline needs to make other adjustments. Affected passengers may choose […]

The deadliest wildfires

PARIS, Aug 14, 2023 (AFP) – The US wildfire in which almost 100 have died in Hawaii is among the most deadly of the 21st century. Some previous wildfires: – Australia – In “Black Saturday” in Australia’s Victoria state, 173 people were killed, in Australia’s worst bushfire on February 7, 2009. Whole towns and more than 2,000 homes were destroyed. – Greece in 2007 and 2018 – In Greece’s worst-ever fire disaster, 103 people died […]