Asia

Pyongyang ‘rebuilding’ main satellite launch site, photos show

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — Activity has been detected at a North Korean long-range rocket site suggesting Pyongyang may be pursuing the “rapid rebuilding” of a test facility after the collapse of the Hanoi summit, according to analysis of satellite imagery from a US think tank. The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) says activity is “evident” at the vertical engine test stand and the launch pad’s rail-mounted rocket transfer structure at the […]

Malaysia joins ICC in boost for beleaguered court

  KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysia has become a member of the International Criminal Court, a minister said Tuesday, in a boost for the beleaguered institution at a time it faces growing criticism. The ICC is the world’s only permanent war crimes court and aims to prosecute the worst abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling. But the tribunal in The Hague has come under fire over high-profile acquittals, while Burundi became the […]

Pakistan navy says it stopped Indian sub from entering its waters

  KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistan has stopped an Indian submarine from entering its waters, the navy said Tuesday, as tensions continue to run high between the nuclear-armed foes. The development came days after a rare aerial dogfight between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir ignited fears of an all-out conflict, with world powers rushing to urge restraint. “The Pakistan navy stopped an Indian submarine from entering our territorial waters,” a naval […]

Tokyo court grants ex-Nissan chief Ghosn bail: media

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Tokyo Court on Tuesday granted ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn bail, local media reported, in a shock decision that could see the auto tycoon freed after more than three months of detention. The court reportedly set the bail at one billion yen ($9 million), but prosecutors are likely to appeal the decision and could even file additional allegations against Ghosn to keep him from leaving detention. © Agence France-Presse

Ghosn family calls on UN to help release him, says lawyer

PARIS, France (AFP) — The family of former industrial tycoon Carlos Ghosn, currently held in Japan on charges of financial misconduct, is to appeal to the United Nations in a bid to have him released, one of his lawyers said Monday. Ghosn, 64, formerly in charge of the Nissan and Renault carmakers, has been in detention since his shock November 19 arrest, and has tried repeatedly without success to secure bail. “We have decided to […]

North Korea’s Kim arrives home after Trump summit

  SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea’s Kim Jong Un arrived home on Tuesday, state media said, completing his marathon journey through China after his Hanoi summit with US President Donald Trump ended without a nuclear deal. Kim’s return to Pyongyang marked the end of an epic 4,000-kilometre (2,500-mile) journey — on board his olive green armoured train — from Vietnam, where his much-hyped second summit with Trump came to an abrupt halt last […]

Trump: Ending SKorea war games not concession to Kim

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Monday denied that he ordered an end to major US-South Korean military exercises as a concession to North Korea’s totalitarian leader Kim Jong Un. The previously annual, large-scale maneuvers — meant to keep troops ready in case of conflict with North Korea — were shelved shortly after Trump’s summit last week with Kim in Hanoi. Trump denied there was any link. “The military drills, or […]

Syria force evacuates ‘human shields’ in push to crush IS remnant

by Rouba El Husseini and Emmanuel Duparcq Agence France Presse BAGHOUZ, Syria (AFP) — Kurdish-led forces supported by air strikes from an international coalition evacuated civilians held as “human shields” Monday after smashing their way into the jihadists’ last scrap of territory in eastern Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces and its allies from the US-led coalition unleashed a deluge of fire on the village of Baghouz at the weekend to break the defences of Islamic […]

South Korea’s Moon urges new US-North denuclearization talks

  SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea President Moon Jae-in on Monday urged the US and North Korea to quickly resume denuclearization talks after their Hanoi summit last week ended without a deal. Moon, who has adopted a dovish approach to Pyongyang and brokered the US-North Korea talks process, urged his officials to find out what exactly had gone awry at the high-stakes meeting, and predicted a deal would ultimately be reached. “We hope […]

Shinawatra parties rally across Thailand as crucial court ruling looms

by Aidan Jones Parties aligned with Thailand’s powerful Shinawatra clan staged major rallies Saturday ahead of a court ruling that could deal a gut punch to their prospects in national elections later this month. Public gatherings were taking place across the country — including in the Chiang Mai hometown of divisive billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Shinawatra-linked Pheu Thai party members addressed throngs of supporters in a stadium in Chiang Mai as the sun went down, […]

US, S. Korea to end key joint military exercises

by Kang Jin-kyu The US and South Korea announced Sunday an end to key annual large-scale military exercises in support of diplomatic efforts to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programme. The decision comes days after the conclusion of US President Donald Trump’s second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, which ended without a formal agreement but with both sides suggesting they would keep talking. There are close to […]

US, S. Korea to ‘discontinue’ major military exercise: US official

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US military and South Korea are planning to “discontinue” annual large-scale military exercises as President Donald Trump pursues efforts to improve ties with North Korea, a US official told AFP Friday. The comment from the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, came shortly after the conclusion of Trump’s second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, which ended without a formal agreement but with […]