International

Dubai airport flights resume after Emirates accident

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Dubai airport, the world’s busiest in terms of international passengers, resumed flights on Wednesday after a nearly four-hour shutdown caused by an accident involving an Emirates plane, authorities said. Dubai International Airport resumes operations for departure & arrival flights,” said the government’s official Twitter account. All 300 passengers on board the plane coming from India were evacuated safely, the government has said, as footage on social media showed smoke […]

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Hurricane Earl nears Belize

Hurricane Earl thundered towards the shores of Belize on Wednesday (August 3), dumping heavy rains on Honduras and prompting hundreds of people to take cover on the Caribbean coastline as the large storm closed in. Four hundred people have so far been evacuated from Belize’s northern islands Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, Lionel Cuthkelvin, operations officer at the National Emergency Management Organization, said by telephone. Cuthkelvin said at least 20 shelters were already harbouring people, […]

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Avoid China-claimed shoal, Philippines tells fishermen

The Philippines told its fishermen Wednesday to steer clear of a fishing ground in the disputed South China Sea to avoid harassment from Chinese authorities. The warning came despite a recent ruling by a UN-backed tribunal in favour of the Philippines, as it dismissed China’s territorial claims to large swathes of the waters. Beijing angrily rejected the court’s judgement and on Tuesday it announced penalties for “illegal” fishing in its waters including the disputed areas. […]

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White House denies Iran ransom payment

by Andrew BEATTY WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House on Wednesday denied renewed accusations that it paid Iran ransom for the release of four American prisoners, parrying a tidal wave of condemnations from Republicans. Amid revelations that the US helped airlift $400 million worth of Swiss francs and euros to Iran after a prisoner release, the White House insisted the two were not linked. In January, five American prisoners were released as Washington […]

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US Air Force declares F-35A fighter jet ‘combat ready’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Air Force on Tuesday declared an initial squadron of F-35A stealth fighters as ready for combat, a major milestone for the futuristic aircraft dogged by delays and cost overruns. The squadron of about 12 planes is based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and the planes’ combat rating — known as initial operational capability — comes after completion of a raft of tests and training exercises. “The […]

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Japan says N. Korea missile test ‘outrageous act’

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday condemned a North Korean test missile that landed 250 kilometres (155 miles) off Japan’s coast as an “outrageous act” which threatened his country. “It’s a serious threat against our country’s security,” Abe told reporters. “This is an outrageous act that cannot be tolerated.” Defence minister Gen Nakatani said the missile landed in the Sea of Japan off the north coast in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone […]

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N. Korea test fires ballistic missile: S. Korea defence ministry

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea on Wednesday test-fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, South Korea’s defense ministry said, in an apparent reaction to the planned deployment of a US missile defense system. The missile was launched from near the western city of Unyul at around 07:50 am Wednesday (22:50 GMT Tuesday), it added. The test follows the launch of three ballistic missiles on July 19 in what the North said […]

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China must prepare for ‘people’s war at sea’: minister

BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s Defense Minister has urged preparations for a “people’s war at sea” to counter offshore security threats and safeguard sovereignty, state media reported Tuesday. Chang Wanquan’s comments came several weeks after an international tribunal dismissed the country’s claim to most of the South China Sea, a judgement it angrily rejected. Chang “called for recognition of the seriousness of the national security situation, especially the threat from the sea”, Xinhua news agency […]

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Obama says Trump ‘unfit’ to be president

by Andrew BEATTY WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — In a searing and virtually unprecedented presidential rebuke, Barack Obama declared embattled Republican White House nominee Donald Trump “unfit” to be president Tuesday and called on party leaders to disown him. Obama piled on as Trump’s campaign reeled from multiple self-inflicted scandals, calling the 70-year-old mogul “woefully unprepared” and “unfit to serve as president.” “He keeps proving it,” said Obama, standing alongside the prime minister of Singapore […]

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Trump says ‘much easier’ to get Purple Heart as gift from vet

ASHBURN, United States (AFP) – Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump on Tuesday courted controversy when he said receiving a Purple Heart from a US military veteran was “much easier” than being awarded the medal given to those wounded in combat. The statement immediately started trending on Twitter, with some users mocking the billionaire real estate mogul for accepting the honor — awarded by sitting US presidents — while on the campaign trail. The comments also […]

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Czech president refuses to welcome any migrants

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AFP) – Czech President Milos Zeman has rejected a government proposal to take in some 2,700 migrants languishing in Italy and Greece, claiming they might pose a security threat, his spokesman said Tuesday. “The president is against welcoming any migrants on Czech territory. Our country can’t afford to run the risk of having terrorist attacks like those committed in France and Germany,” Zeman’s spokesman Jiri Ovcacek told reporters. Islamic State group jihadists have […]

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Japan approves huge stimulus for sluggish economy

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) – by Daniel LEUSSINK Japan’s cabinet Tuesday approved a mammoth 28-trillion yen ($273 billion) package in its latest attempt to stimulate lacklustre growth, including cash to improve infrastructure and raise the birthrate in the ageing nation. The stimulus plan announced last week is the latest in a series in recent years designed to fire up the world’s number three economy. “We have been able to put together a strong package that includes bold […]

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