International

New debris images examined by MH370 search team

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Images of three new pieces of debris are being examined by Australian search teams looking for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, they said Friday. One of the items washed up on remote Kangaroo Island off Australia’s south coast, while the other two were reportedly found in Madagascar. “The ATSB has been advised and has received photos of the item (on Kangaroo Island),” a spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which […]

Clinton trolls Trump on Twitter: ‘Delete your account’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — “Delete your account.” Hillary Clinton’s snarky tweet Thursday to her White House rival Donald Trump was among the funniest of the campaign. Almost as funny as it was awkward. The message by the 68-year-old former secretary of state — actually written by a young staffer, a Clinton aide told AFP — was in response to the latest broadside by Trump, who had commented on how “Obama just endorsed Crooked Hillary” on […]

North Korea plant makes kimchi under Kim’s ‘loving care’

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea is producing kimchi at a new plant “built under the loving care” of leader Kim Jong-Un, who praised the spicy pickle as “one of the world’s five health foods”, state media said Friday. Kim made his remarks while inspecting the sprawling Ryugyong Pickle Factory, built to supply Pyongyang residents with the traditional dish year-round, the Korean Central News Agency said. The plant is capable of producing 4,200 tonnes […]

6.1 magnitude quake, aftershocks shake northwest Nicaragua

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AFP) — A strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake and at least three aftershocks shook northwestern Nicaragua on Thursday night, triggering panic among residents. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The 6.1 quake struck at 9:25 pm (0325 GMT), centered 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) east of Puerto Morazan near the Honduras border at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey. It was followed by three weaker aftershocks […]

Duchess of Cambridge hosts SportsAid dinner

The Duchess of Cambridge hosted a gala dinner at her London home on Thursday (June 9) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of SportsAid. At Kensington Palace, she welcomed former Olympians and Paralympians, as well as young athletes due to compete in the upcoming Games in Rio. SportsAid gives financial support to athletes in the early stages of their careers. Some of those who have benefited from that support, and are now ambassadors for the charity, […]

Seoul prosecutors raid Lotte Group headquarters

Seoul prosecution investigators raided Lotte Group headquarters on Friday (June 10) morning, a group spokesman told Reuters, in what local media reported as a widening investigation into South Korea’s fifth-largest conglomerate. The raids came as the group’s Hotel Lotte unit is readying an IPO, worth up to $4.6 billion, that has been cut in value and pushed back after the emergence of a bribery probe. About 200 Seoul prosecution investigators were searching 17 locations including […]

U.S. urges Israel not to punish innocent Palestinians for attack

Israel’s response to Wednesday’s gun attack in Tel Aviv should be designed in a way that does not punish innocent Palestinians, the State Department said on Thursday (June 9) after the Israeli military revoked the travel permits for 83,000 Palestinians. “We understand the Israeli government’s desire to protect its citizens…and we strongly support that right, but we would hope that any measures it takes are designed to also take into consideration the impact on Palestinian […]

Sanders vows to ‘work together’ with Clinton

by Andrew BEATTY WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Thwarted presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders refused Thursday to bow out before the final Democratic primary next week, but said he would meet rival Hillary Clinton soon to foster party unity in the battle against Donald Trump. “I spoke briefly to Secretary Clinton on Tuesday night and I congratulated her on her very strong campaign,” said Sanders, sounding conciliatory after an hour-long White House meeting with President Barack […]

17 people an hour die in road accidents in India

NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — India’s transport ministry admitted Thursday it has so far failed to improve road safety but said it was pushing for stricter laws, as new figures revealed 17 people die in traffic accidents every hour. Transport minister Nitin Gadkari acknowledged an urgent need to improve road infrastructure as the numbers showed traffic accidents were one of the single biggest causes of death in India. The report found 146,133 people died in […]

‘I’m with her’ – Obama backs Clinton for president

by Andrew BEATTY WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Barack Obama endorsed one-time rival Hillary Clinton to succeed him Thursday, signaling to Democrats that it’s time to unify after a bitter primary campaign and beat Donald Trump. “Tens of millions of Americans made their voices heard. Today I just want to add mine,” Obama said in a video endorsement. “I’m with her.” Thier first joint campaign event will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin on […]

PNG leader O’Neill tackles corruption, unrest

by Martin PARRY SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, whose police opened fire on demonstrating students this week, has been grappling with a developing country once labelled “a dysfunctional blob” ever since he grabbed power in a messy struggle five years ago. One of his first acts after being sworn in as leader in 2012 was to form an anti-corruption task force to win the confidence of potential foreign investors, […]

Mexico backs India’s nuclear suppliers group bid

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto backed India’s bid to join a nuclear trade group as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Latin American nation on Wednesday. Pena Nieto said Mexico, which is a member of the 48-nation NSG, will give its “positive and constructive support” to India as he praised Modi’s “commitment” to the international nuclear non-proliferation agenda. Modi, in the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Mexico […]