International

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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Chinese boats face huge fines for illegal fishing off Guinea

CONAKRY, Guinea (AFP) — Two Chinese vessels face huge fines after being caught fishing illegally in Guinea’s waters, including one fine of up to $3.4 million, the country’s fishing minister said Thursday, as west Africa attempts to crack down on millions lost to foreign trawlers. The Chang Yuan Yu 6 and Lu Jiao Nan Yuan Yu 102 were among 14 vessels identified as operating illegally in a joint operation mounted by Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and […]

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Wildfires hit Portugal’s tourist Algarve region

LISBON, Portugal (AFP) — Portugal’s Algarve tourist region  was the latest to be hit by violent forest fires Thursday, prompting the evacuation of a luxury hotel and three hamlets, officials said. Backed by water-dropping aircraft, over 2,700 firefighters were trying to bring under control some 100 blazes nationwide despite a respite from the intense heat which has gripped the country in recent days. About 50 tourists, including many British nationals, were evacuated from a hotel […]

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US military closes a prison camp at Guantanamo Bay

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – by Thomas WATKINS The US military has closed a maximum-security detention center at Guantanamo Bay, an official said Thursday, as the controversial prison’s population continues to dwindle. Guantanamo’s Camp 5 lockup, built in 2004 at a cost of $17 million, closed August 19 and will be converted into a medical center with a psychiatric wing for detainees, facility spokesman Navy Captain John Filostrat told AFP. Only a “handful” of detainees had remained […]

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