(Reuters) — Foreign ministers and heads of state of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are facing a test of unity at their summit this weekend as some members express alarm over China’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea and push for a strong joint statement. Tensions ratcheted up in the past week after China positioned a huge oil rig in an area also claimed by Vietnam, with each country accusing the other of ramming its ships in the […]
Other News
South China Sea to top ASEAN Summit agenda
(Reuters) — A surge of tensions in the South China Sea threatens to widen divisions between Southeast Asian nations at a summit this weekend, posing a severe test for host Myanmar as the newly democratic country seeks to manage the region’s growing alarm over China. Leaders and government officials of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) will be attending meetings in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw to discuss regional and international issues starting on Saturday (May 10). However, the routine annual meeting of […]
Turkey’s Erdogan heckles critic, storms out of ceremony
(Reuters) – An angry Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan heckled the head of the country’s bar association on Saturday, accusing him of rudeness for speaking too long and critically at a judicial ceremony, then stormed out of the hall. The dramatic scene underscored how tensions remain high after bitterly contested March local polls and amid expectations Erdogan will seek the presidency in another election in August. Erdogan interrupted a speech in Ankara by Metin Feyzioglu, […]
Thai government supporters rally to ‘defend democracy’
(Reuters) – Supporters of Thailand’s beleaguered government gathered on Saturday on the outskirts of Bangkok, saying they were determined to safeguard democracy as rival anti-government protesters pressed their campaign in the city. Thailand’s politicians have been unable to forge a compromise over a nearly decade-long split between the royalist establishment and a populist former telecommunications tycoon, whose sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was ousted as prime minister on Wednesday. Her sacking by the Constitutional Court for nepotism […]
Jailed singer Chris Brown admits probation violation
(Reuters) – Grammy-winning R&B singer Chris Brown admitted to violating probation from his 2009 assault of pop singer Rihanna and was sentenced to a year in jail by a Los Angeles judge on Friday. Brown, in jail since March 14, could end up spending an additional 131 days in jail as part of his sentence after so far earning 234 days of credited jail time, but the singer’s attorney expects Brown to be released over […]
‘Daily Show’ comedian Wilmore to replace Colbert on Comedy Central
(Reuters) – Comedian Larry Wilmore, currently part of Jon Stewart’s late night “The Daily Show,” will headline his own show that will replace Stephen Colbert’s “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central next year, the network said on Friday. Wilmore, 52, often billed as “Senior Black Correspondent” on Stewart’s late night satirical news show, will host “The Minority Report with Larry Wilmore,” which will air following “The Daily Show” starting January 2015. Comedy Central, a unit […]
North Korea renews threat of nuclear test
(Reuters) – North Korea renewed a threat on Saturday to conduct a nuclear test amid heightened concern that the reclusive state with a stockpile of missiles may set off an atomic device for the fourth time on the path to building a nuclear arsenal. North Korea’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said the country was justified in using all available means at its disposal to counter aggressive challenges by the United States andSouth Korea aimed at stifling its sovereignty. […]
Nigerian army posts two divisions to hunt for missing girls
(Reuters) – Nigeria’s Army has posted two divisions to hunt for 200 schoolgirls abducted last month by Islamist rebels in an attack condemned globally including by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama on Saturday. The soldiers are stationed in the border region close to Chad, Cameroon and Niger to work with other security agencies, said General Chris Olukolade, spokesman for the Defence Headquarters. The government of President Goodluck Jonathan has faced criticism for its slow response […]
Former Time Warner chief named interim CEO of Los Angeles Clippers
(Reuters) – The National Basketball Association on Friday installed former Time Warner CEO and chairman Richard Parsons as interim chief executive of the Los Angeles Clippers while preparing for an unprecedented bid to force out the team’s owner, Donald Sterling. Parsons was named chief executive officer three days after Sterling’s longtime top lieutenant, Andy Roeser, was placed on indefinite leave as team president, and more than a week after the NBA banned Sterling over racist comments that […]
Pacers take 2-1 lead after ugly road win at Wizards
(The Sports Xchange) – May 9 (The Sports Xchange) – The Indiana Pacers acknowledged the unsightly nature of their latest win against the Washington Wizards, but All-Star forward Paul George will be happy if the remainder of the series continues in a similar slogging manner. The Pacers held the Wizards to 30 points in the second half, pulling away to win 85-63 on Friday and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-finals. […]
Durant helps Thunder storm to victory over Clippers
Forward Kevin Durant scored 36 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Clippers 118-112 in Game Three of their Western Conference semi-finals series on Friday. The victory moved the Thunder into a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and after being blown out by 17 points in the opener, Oklahoma City have rallied well to take the initiative going into Sunday’s Game Four in […]
Search for Flight MH370 heads to site of first ‘ping’
(Reuters) – An Australian naval vessel carrying an underwater drone involved in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 left port on Saturday on its second mission to scan part of the Indian Ocean where the longest sonar “ping” was heard over a month ago. The Ocean Shield is heading to the area where a signal was first located and heard for some two hours on April 5, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) northwest of Perth to […]