Other News

Indonesia, Boeing agree deal for sale of F-15 jets

JAKARTA, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Indonesia and US aircraft manufacturer Boeing have agreed a deal for the sale of two dozen F-15EX fighter jets as Southeast Asia’s biggest economy moves to modernise its fleet, Jakarta’s defence minister said Tuesday. Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) committing to the sale on Monday between Indonesian airforce and Boeing officials at the company’s St Louis facility. “MoU signing commitment to […]

URGENT ¥¥¥ 18 suspected migrants die in Greek forest fire: firefighters

ATHENS, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Eighteen suspected migrants were found dead Tuesday in a forest fire raging in northeastern Greece, the fire department said. The bodies were found near the national park of Dadia, a region bordering Turkey that is a frequent entry point for migrants, fire department spokesman Yiannis Artopios said in a televised address. This is a developing story.

BRICS summit of emerging economies to begin in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – BRICS leaders meet in South Africa on Tuesday as the loose association of major emerging economies seeks to assert its voice as a counterweight to Western dominance in global affairs. The so-called BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — represent a quarter of the global economy, and interest in joining the club has surged ahead of its three-day summit in Johannesburg. Security has been bolstered […]

Boy, 10, killed in suspected drugs violence in France

  NÎMES, France, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – A 10-year-old boy has been shot dead in suspected drugs-related violence in the southern French town of Nimes, authorities said Tuesday, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin mourning an “immense tragedy.” The boy was travelling in a car with his uncle through the deprived Pissevin area of the city when they were targeted at around 1130 pm (2130 GMT) on Monday evening. Local prosecutor Cecile Gensac told reporters […]

Two dead as Greece battles spreading wildfires

ALEXANDROUPOLI, Greece, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Greece on Tuesday battled to contain wildfires around the country that have killed two people and forced widespread evacuations in the second deadly wave of blazes in a month. Flames spread unchecked in northeastern Greece as well as the islands of Evia and Kythnos and the region of Boeotia north of Athens, amid a dangerous mix of gale-force winds and temperatures of up to 41 degrees Celsius (106 […]

Wanted Hong Kong activists in Britain decry ‘harassment’

LONDON, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – A heightened fear for their safety, increased worry for their families, and a desperate search for international support — this is what dominates everyday life for two activists in Britain who are among Hong Kong’s most wanted. Last month, Hong Kong police announced bounties of HK$1 million ($128,000) on eight democratic activists living abroad, encouraging the public to pass on information that could lead to their arrest. Former legislator […]

Three candidates nominated for Singapore president vote

SINGAPORE, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Three candidates were nominated Tuesday to run next week in Singapore’s first contested presidential vote in more than a decade, officials said. While the role is largely ceremonial, there are stringent requirements for the position, which formally oversees the city’s financial reserves and holds the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes. Incumbent Halimah Yacob ran unopposed for her six-year term in 2017. Election officials announced the […]

Philippines says resupply mission reaches remote South China Sea outpost

MANILA, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – The Philippines said a resupply mission had reached a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, despite attempts by Chinese vessels to “block” the boats carrying provisions for Filipino marines. Two Philippine Coast Guard boats escorted two supply vessels to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where a handful of troops are stationed on a crumbling navy ship. They arrived just over two weeks after China […]

Russia says Ukrainian boat destroyed in new Black Sea clash

Moscow said Tuesday it destroyed a Ukrainian military reconnaissance vessel near Russian gas infrastructure in the Black Sea, in the latest clash in the waterway since Moscow’s withdrawal from a major grain export deal. Attacks by both sides have escalated in the Black Sea since Russia in July pulled out of the United Nations-brokered deal that allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the shipping hub. Russia has bombed Ukrainian port infrastructure in sea […]

Thaksin’s return: From exile to 8 years’ jail sentence in Thailand

BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the kingdom Tuesday after 15 years in exile and was immediately jailed, just hours before his party’s candidate was elected prime minister. The Supreme Court ordered the 74-year-old billionaire to serve eight years on old graft charges, though it is not clear how much time he will serve behind bars, as his Pheu Thai party forms the government and rumours swirl of […]

Thai parliament elects Srettha Thavisin as PM: AFP count

BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thai lawmakers approved tycoon Srettha Thavisin as the kingdom’s new prime minister on Tuesday, ending three months of political deadlock on the day former premier Thaksin Shinawatra returned from exile. Srettha easily secured a majority across the two houses of parliament to be approved as Thailand’s 30th prime minister, despite his Pheu Thai party coming second in the May election. He sailed past the 374 votes needed for a […]