Tag: politics

North Korea reports four new ‘fever’ cases

Seoul, South Korea (AFP) North Korea’s state media reported four new fever cases Thursday, saying they were suspected of being infected with the “malignant epidemic” — just two weeks after the country declared victory over Covid-19. The isolated nation, which has maintained a rigid blockade since the start of the pandemic, confirmed an Omicron outbreak in the capital Pyongyang in May. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — who also fell ill during the outbreak […]

Pakistan opposition warns Khan arrest would be ‘red line’

by Sajjad TARAKZAI Agence France-Presse ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistan opposition leaders warned Monday that authorities would cross a “red line” if they arrested former prime minister Imran Khan after he was reported under the anti-terrorism act for comments he made about the judiciary. Since being ousted by a vote of no confidence in April, Khan has held mass rallies across the country, warning state institutions including the military not to back the coalition government […]

US responds to Iran on nuclear deal as momentum builds

by Shaun TANDON Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Wednesday responded to Iran’s suggestions on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal as momentum builds to bring back the landmark agreement trashed by former president Donald Trump. Just weeks after the deal looked dead, the European Union put forward on August 8 what it called a final text to restore the agreement, in which Iran would see sanctions relief and be able […]

Term-limit row leaves Thai PM facing calls to quit

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP | by Rose TROUP BUCHANAN A legal showdown that could oust embattled Thai Prime Minister Prayut Cha-O-Cha reaches the country’s constitutional court this week, threatening fresh political turmoil for the kingdom just months before national elections. The former general has clung on to office through major anti-government protests in 2020, a bruising pandemic, a faltering economy and scores of political near-misses — but now the very constitution whose design he oversaw […]

Channel migrant crossings hit new 24-hour record: UK govt

London, United Kingdom | AFP | The number of people crossing the Channel to the UK from northern France in small boats has hit a new high, the government in London said on Tuesday. Some 1,295 people were detected on Monday, beating the previous single-day record of 1,185 on November 11, 2021, the Ministry of Defence said. So far this year there have been some 22,670 crossings. At the same point in 2021, nearly 12,500 […]

Top court upholds Malaysia ex-PM Najib’s jail sentence in 1MDB scandal

  PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysia’s highest court Tuesday upheld former prime minister Najib Razak’s 12-year jail sentence for corruption in the 1MDB financial scandal. “We find the appeal devoid of any merits. We find the conviction and sentence to be safe,” Chief Justice Maimun Tuan Mat said on behalf of a five-judge panel. “Based on the foregoing, it is our unanimous view that the evidence led during the trial points overwhelmingly to guilt on […]

US governor visits Taiwan after China drills

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — A United States governor met Taiwan’s president Monday, days after Washington announced trade talks with Taipei in a show of support following China’s military threats toward the self-ruled island. Eric Holcomb, the Republican governor of the US state of Indiana, landed in Taiwan on Sunday for an “economic development trip”. US-China tensions have risen since Beijing staged huge military drills in retaliation for US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan […]

Myanmar junta chief says military open to negotiations with Suu Kyi after her trial

YANGON, Myanmar (AFP) — Myanmar’s military chief said Friday the junta is open to negotiations with ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to end the crisis sparked by its coup after her trials in a junta-run court have concluded. Suu Kyi, 77, has been detained since the generals toppled her government in a coup on February 1 last year and plunged the Southeast Asian nation into chaos. She has been jailed for 17 years for […]

N Korea rejects Seoul’s aid-for-denuclearisation offer

Seoul, South Korea | AFP | The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday rejected Seoul’s offer of economic assistance in return for denuclearisation steps, calling it the “height of absurdity”. The statement follows South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol this week putting forward an “audacious” aid plan that would include food, energy and infrastructure help in return for the North abandoning its nuclear weapons programme. Analysts previously said the chances of Pyongyang […]

Biden signs major climate change, health care law

by Sebastian Smith Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed into law a big climate change and health care spending bill, giving Democrats another boost ahead of midterm elections in which Republicans are suddenly less certain of their predicted crushing victory. The law, dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act, was touted by the White House as the biggest commitment to mitigating climate change in US history, as well as targeting […]

‘No use worrying’: Taiwanese tourists carry on despite China threat

by Amber Wang Agence France-Presse KINMEN, Taiwan (AFP) — Visiting Taiwan’s tiny Kinmen Islands last week, Joseph Lin practiced standing up on his paddleboard, drifting across from the Chinese city of Xiamen, where days earlier fighter jets had screamed overhead. The Taiwanese islets, just two miles from China’s coast, have become a popular tourist destination, and Beijing’s massive military drills this month failed to deter domestic visitors from jetting closer to their saber-rattling neighbor. Lin, […]

Iran says to deliver ‘final’ nuclear talks proposal Monday

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran will deliver its “final” proposal later Monday on talks to revive its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers, after Washington had accepted key demands. “The American side has verbally accepted the two demands” from Iran, said Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, as quoted by state news agency IRNA, without specifying what the demands were. “We will send our final proposals in writing by midnight (1930 GMT)” Monday, he added. […]