International

Alert level raised for Philippine volcano after ‘explosive eruption’: volcanology agency

By Pam Castro and Cecil Morella MANILA, June 3, 2024 (AFP) – The alert level for a Philippine volcano was raised Monday after an “explosive eruption” sent a plume of ash, gas and rocks five kilometres (three miles) into the sky, the volcanology agency said. Mount Kanlaon on the central island of Negros erupted for six minutes shortly before 7:00 pm (1100 GMT), prompting warnings for nearby residents to wear facemasks due the threat of […]

Strong magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits central Japan

TOKYO, June 3, 2024 (AFP) – A strong magnitude 5.9 earthquake on Monday shook the area of central Japan that was hit by a devastating jolt in January, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, but there was no threat of a tsunami. Three houses collapsed but there were no reports of deaths or injuries, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said after the shallow quake struck the Noto Peninsula at 6:31 am (2131 GMT Sunday). […]

N. Korea vows to stop trash balloons after sending hundreds over border

By Kang Jin-kyu SEOUL, June 2, 2024 (AFP) – North Korea said Sunday it would stop sending trash-filled balloons across the border into the South, saying the “disgusting” missives had been an effective countermeasure against propaganda sent by anti-regime activists. Since Tuesday, the North has sent nearly a thousand balloons carrying bags of rubbish containing everything from cigarette butts to bits of cardboard and plastic, Seoul’s military said, warning the public to stay away. South […]

Zelensky says China working hard to ‘prevent’ countries from attending peace summit

By Jing Xuan Teng and Martin Abbugao SINGAPORE, June 2, 2024 (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China on Sunday of working hard to stop countries from going to a peace summit, which Beijing has publicly criticised because Russia is not invited. Zelensky made the remarks at a security forum in Singapore as he sought to rally support for the conference and appealed for more military aid for Ukraine, which has been ceding ground […]

China defence chief says Beijing ready to ‘forcefully’ stop Taiwan independence

By Jing Xuan TENG SINGAPORE, June 2, 2024 (AFP) – Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun warned Sunday his military is ready to “forcefully” stop Taiwan independence but called for greater exchanges with the United States. The remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore followed the first substantive face-to-face talks in 18 months between the two countries’ defence chiefs. “We have always been open to exchanges and cooperation, but this requires both sides to meet […]

Trump warns jail time could be ‘breaking point’ for supporters

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2024 (AFP) – Donald Trump has suggested that sending him to prison could prove a “breaking point” for his supporters — a warning that will fuel concerns of political violence around the US presidential election on November 5. In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News, the former president and current Republican White House hopeful acknowledged the possibility of jail time or house arrest following his historic criminal conviction in a hush […]

China defence minister warns of ‘limits’ to Beijing’s restraint on South China Sea

SINGAPORE, June 2, 2024 (AFP) – China’s defence minister warned Sunday of “limits” to Beijing’s restraint on the South China Sea and over the deployment of ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific region. Dong’s remarks at a security forum in Singapore were a clear reference to the Philippines and the United States, which have been boosting defence ties in the face of China’s growing military might and influence. “China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face […]

President Biden lets Ukraine use US arms inside Russia

US President Joe Biden secretly lifted restrictions on Ukraine using American-supplied weapons against targets on Russian territory, but only to defend the under-fire Kharkiv region, US officials said Thursday. Biden had come under increasing pressure from a desperate Ukraine to ease his ban, but had so far resisted amid fears it could drag NATO into direct conflict or even a nuclear standoff with Moscow. “The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is […]

Zelensky arrives at Singapore security forum

By Jing Xuan Teng and Satish Cheney SINGAPORE, June 1, 2024 (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at a Singapore security forum on Saturday as he seeks to rally support for Kyiv while a Russian offensive gains ground. Zelensky got out of a white Audi sedan in front of the luxury hotel hosting the Shangri-La Dialogue and walked quickly into the lobby, which was crowded with defence officials from around the world, journalists and […]

UK envoy to Mexico reportedly sacked after pointing gun

  British Ambassador to Mexico, Jon Benjamin, points a semi automatic weapon at concerned Mexican staff member. In a context of daily killings in Mexico by drug dealers, he dares to joke. @DailyMirror @guardian @TheSun @TheEconomist @Telegraph @DailyMailUK @FCDOGovUK pic.twitter.com/1obqgsNnTD — Subdiplomatic (@subdiplomatic) May 28, 2024 MEXICO CITY, June 1, 2024 (AFP) – Britain’s ambassador to Mexico was removed from his post after allegedly pointing an assault rifle inside a vehicle carrying embassy staff, reports […]

‘Time for this war to end’: Biden pushes Israeli plan for Gaza truce

By Danny KEMP WASHINGTON, June 1, 2024 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden said Friday that Israel had offered a new roadmap towards a permanent peace in Gaza, urging Hamas to accept the surprise deal as it was “time for this war to end.” In his first major address outlining a solution to the conflict, Biden said the three-phase proposal starts with a six-week complete ceasefire that would see Israeli forces withdraw from all populated […]