Breaking News, Latest Philippines Headlines, World, Entertainment, Politics, Weather & Video News
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States was awarded ownership of a North Korean cargo ship that was seized for violating international sanctions, the US Justice Department said. The Wise Honest — the first North Korean vessel to be seized by the US for sanctions violation — was caught carrying a $3 million shipment of coal in Indonesian waters last year and later handed over to the US. The latest ruling by the Southern […]
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Animated film “Abominable” will not be shown in Malaysia after its distributor Sunday said it could not comply with censors’ demands to cut a controversial scene showing Beijing’s disputed claims in the South China Sea. The decision comes after Vietnam pulled the Universal Pictures movie from theatres days ago and the Philippines’ foreign secretary called for the segment to be excised. “Universal has decided not to make the censor […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea met in Washington on Tuesday to discuss North Korean denuclearization, just days after negotiations between the US and North Korea broke down in Sweden. US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun held talks with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, the US State Department said in a statement. They “reaffirmed the importance of continued close… coordination on North Korea to […]
JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking “non-aggression” agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognize the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals. Details of the proposal were not made public, but it was the latest sign of Israel’s push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations. Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory has long […]
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea said Sunday it has “no desire” to continue nuclear talks unless the United States takes steps to end hostilities, a day after negotiations in Sweden broke down. The discussions in Sweden followed months of stalemate following a February meeting between the North’s leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, and came after Pyongyang’s defiant test of a sea-launched ballistic missile on Wednesday. The North walked away […]
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that the initial stage of a new trade deal with Japan had been finalized, describing it as a “phenomenal” agreement. Sitting next to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump said the leaders “formally announce the first stage of a phenomenal new trade agreement,” adding “this is a big chunk, but in the fairly near future we are going to have a lot more.” […]
by Anuj Chopra with Sarah Stewart in Dubai Agence France Presse RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced strikes on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure as an “act of war”, as Riyadh unveiled new evidence it said showed the assault was “unquestionably” sponsored by arch-foe Iran. The comments raise the risk of a wider conflict in the tinderbox Gulf region after the weekend strikes on the heart of the kingdom’s […]
by Sebastian Smith WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump famously canceled a missile strike on Iran in June, but Tehran will not be resting easy following the unpredictable president’s warning that the United States is again “locked and loaded.” After giving diplomats whiplash last week with reversals on Afghanistan, Trump now has the world on tenterhooks over his response to a weekend attack on Saudi oil facilities that his top diplomat has blamed […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China on Monday urged the United States and Iran to “exercise restraint” after a drone attack on Saudi oil infrastructure, which Washington has blamed on Tehran. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying also said it was not responsible to accuse others “in the absence of a conclusive investigation or verdict”. “The Chinese side’s position is that we oppose all actions that enlarge or intensify conflict,” she told reporters at a […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong “must be guaranteed”, after meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. Hong Kong has faced months of pro-democracy protests, and ahead of her three-day visit to China this week, demonstrators in the semi-autonomous city appealed to the German chancellor to support them in her meetings with China’s leadership. Merkel said she had discussed tensions […]
UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The United Nations said Thursday it is negotiating with impoverished North Korea over its aid presence, which Pyongyang alleges has been politicized and wants reduced. North Korea requested in a letter last month that the UN reduce its involvement in the isolated country, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a daily press conference without giving details. The letter, obtained by AFP, asked that the drawdown occur before the end of […]
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea Saturday lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over his comments on Pyongyang’s “rogue behaviour” and warned its expectations for nuclear talks with Washington are “gradually disappearing”. Pyongyang’s angry words come as working-level talks with Washington remain gridlocked, despite an agreement in June between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump to kickstart the process. Instead no progress has been made in […]
