WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – by Michael Mathes The US House of Representatives passed legislation Friday that would allow relatives of victims of the 9/11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for compensation — a move the White House has threatened to veto. The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act was approved in the House by unanimous voice vote some four months after its Senate passage — and only two days before the 15th anniversary of […]
International
Benin landfill blast kills two: police
TORI, Benin (AFP) – At least two people were killed and scores more suffered severe burns after an explosion at a rubbish dump outside Cotonou in Benin, police told AFP on Friday. The blast happened on Thursday evening, with the fire erupting in Tori Avame, around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the country’s commercial hub. “We recorded a total of two dead and 61 injured as a result of this tragedy that occurred in this […]
New Ukraine truce jeopardised by first combat death
KIEV, Ukraine (AFP) – by Olga SHYLENKO Ukraine on Friday reported its first combat death since a new ceasefire with pro-Russian rebels went into effect on September 1 before the new school year. The announcement delivered a worrying signal that one of the most enduring in a series of truces risked collapsing just as tensions between Moscow and Kiev are scaling new hights. “In the past day, as a result of military activities, one of […]
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 […]
Southern nations gear up for EU future showdown
ATHENS, Greece (AFP) – by John HADOULIS Sabine WIBAUX Southern EU leaders on Friday sought to close ranks on migration, extremism and austerity with the bloc’s future on the line, and ahead of a showdown with hardliners next week. Bringing together the members worst hit by the EU’s twin recession and refugee crises, the mini-summit will focus on “protecting borders, fostering growth, fighting against immigration… and acting together against terrorism,” French President Francois Hollande said at the […]
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 […]
White House says assessing explosion in N. Korea
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House said Thursday it is assessing an explosion near North Korea’s nuclear test site that was detected by seismic monitors, but did not confirm reports of a nuclear test. “We are aware of seismic activity on the Korean Peninsula in the vicinity of a known North Korean nuclear test site,” said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price. “We are monitoring and continuing to assess the situation in close coordination […]
Clinton hammers ‘dangerous’ Trump after Putin praise
by Jerome CARTILLIER with Michael MATHES in Washington CHARLOTTE, United States (AFP) — Hillary Clinton portrayed herself Thursday as a steely stateswoman ready to fend off the dangers facing the United States, as she denounced Republican rival Donald Trump as “unpatriotic” and unfit to lead. With just 61 days before America chooses a new commander in chief, the Democrat went on the offensive highlighting the risk of electing a political novice who praises Russia’s leader […]
Obama says Trump not qualified to be president
VIENTIANE, Laos (AFP) — Outgoing President Barack Obama condemned Donald Trump as unsuitable to be commander-in-chief Thursday, after the Republican nominee blasted US military brass and praised Vladimir Putin. “I don’t think the guy’s qualified to be president of the United States, and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed,” Obama said in unusually caustic language while overseas. Obama, who was in Laos for a summit with South East Asia leaders and his final […]
