A North Korean defector arrived in the United States last month as a refugee, a US-based news agency said Wednesday. Citing data provided by the State Department, the Voice of America reported that the woman in her 20s entered the country on Dec. 12 and settled in the western part of Arizona.
Category: Asia
Afghanistan war getting little notice from Trump White House
A suicide bomber on Tuesday targeted the Supreme Court building in the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing more than… . Security personnel stand guard at the site of a suicide attack on the Supreme Court in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017.
SAITM students ready to face any national exam conducted by government
Feb 07, Colombo: The students of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine is ready to take any national examination conducted by the government, the SAITM Chairman Dr. Neville Fernando said. Addressing a media briefing held at the BMICH today, SAITM Chairman responding to a query from BBC Sandeshaya suggested the government to hold a common national exam for the medical graduates of all state universities and medical graduates from foreign countries as well as for the graduates of SAITM.
News NATO presence in Baltics sends clear signal, Lithuania says
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Afghanistan requests US air support for combat operations
Afghanistan’s national security adviser is appealing to the U.S. to provide aircraft to back ground operations in the country until Afghan security forces can do the job alone. Mohammed Hanif Atmar told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday that “we will need a kind of filling-the-gap measure from the United States.”
UK Marine seeks to quash murder sentence for Taliban killing
” A British Royal Marine is asking a court to overturn his murder conviction for killing a wounded Taliban fighter in Afghanistan, arguing that mental health problems mean he was not fully responsible for his actions. Sgt. Alexander Blackman was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years by a military court in 2013 for the September 2011 killing in Helmand Province.
Afghan official: Taliban bombing kills district police chief
An Afghan police spokesman says a roadside bombing has killed a district police chief in western Farah province. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.
In Chinese Investment Treaties, Questions Arise on Who Qualifies for Protection
Despite recent criticism from some quarters concerning the use of investment treaties and free trade agreements, the Chinese investment treaty system remains firmly in place. Since 1982, the People’s Republic of China has concluded over 100 investment treaties with a variety of countries, including numerous African, Latin American and Southeast Asian states.
American experiences joys of New Year in Chinese fishing village
English teacher makes trip back to husband’s home village in Guangdong province for the Spring Festival holiday, news website reports An American woman has experienced the Lunar New Year holiday in a Chinese fishing village for the first time as the wife of a former villager, according to a news website report. The woman, identified only by her first name Jessica, has spent the last six years teaching English at a kindergarten in Beijing, Chinanews.com reported.
Nanking Massacre-denying Japanese hotel boss sparks Tokyo protest
Dozens of protesters marched through the streets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district carrying banners to protest a hotel chain under fire for books its president wrote denying the Nanking Massacre in wartime China ever happened. Tokyo-based hotel and real estate developer APA Group is at the centre of a furore over books by its founder and president, Toshio Motoya, which contain his revisionist views on history and are placed in every room of the company’s 400-plus APA Hotels.
Pakistan thanks India after Kashmiri boy reunites with mother
MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan has sent a rare message of thanks to arch-rival India after a five-year-old boy who was taken to India by his father nearly a year ago was reuni ted with his Pakistani mother. Ifthikar Ahmed was handed over to Rohina Kiani by border officials in the town of Wagah in Punjab province on Saturday evening following a long legal battle seeking his return from his father, Gulzar Ahmad Tantray.
Avalanches kill over 100 and destroy homes in Afghanistan
Kabul: More than a 100 people have been killed in a series of avalanches triggered by days of heavy snowfall around Afghanistan, including 50 in one village, officials said, warning the death toll could still rise further. The avalanches struck after three days of heavy snow, which has destroyed scores of homes and blocked roads mainly in central and northeastern provinces, making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the stricken villages.
Arms deals of Rs 20k cr inked to keep forces ready
India is finally taking steps to make its armed forces fighting fit. The country has inked a flurry of emergency deals for ammunition and spares worth around Rs 20,000 crore over the last two to three months to ensure its fighters and tanks, infantry and warships, are all ready to go to battle at short notice.
Business environment becoming challenging for steel sector: SAIL
SAIL today said with the business environment becoming extremely challenging for the steel sector, it has identified five core areas, including optimisation of new assets utilisation, to turn impending challenges into opportunities. NEW DELHI: Country’s largest steel maker SAIL today said with the business environment becoming extremely challenging for the steel sector, it has identified five core areas, including optimisation of new assets utilisation, to turn impending challenges into opportunities.
China punishes 11 for dereliction of duty after deadly bus fire
THE government of the northern Chinese region of Ningxia has punished 11 officials for dereliction of duty after a deadly bus fire last year killed 18 people in the regional capital Yinchuan. The man blamed for starting the fire, Ma Yongping, was executed in December.
Why Trump Should Sanction China
As Trump’s Secretary of Defense James Mattis tours Asia to pledge support to our allies, the best form of reassurance would be action against China’s provocative moves in the region. Secretary of Defense James Mattis is now ending his “Mission Reassurance,” the first foreign trip by a Trump administration official.
Trump sanctions against Iran spook India
New Delhi, Feb. 4: US President Donald Trump’s fresh sanctions against Tehran have spooked India into reviewing its marquee connectivity project in Central Asia, the Chabahar port in Iran, imperilling a prime ministerial promise and a key route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised the “early implementation” of a commitment India made to Iran during his visit to Tehran last May on developing two terminals and five berths at the strategically located port on the Gulf of Oman, within 18 months.
Sri Lanka Navy ship SLNS Samudura leaves for Pakistan to take part in multi-nation naval exercise
Feb 04, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel, SLNS Samudura left for Pakistan from the Port of Colombo Friday evening to take part in the multi-nation Naval Exercise ‘AMAN’ in Pakistan. SLNS Samudura is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Karachi on 09th February.
Turkmenistan, Indonesia ready to co-op in energy, tourism
Turkmenistan and Indonesia considered the opportunities of cooperation in the spheres of energy, tourism and education during an official meeting in Ashgabat, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message. The Indonesian delegation was represented by the country’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Turkmenistan Octavino Alimudin.
Mainland tourists injured in Taiwan bus accident
Eighteen people, including seven children, were slightly injured, and another three were “observed with apparent wounds,” according to the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association. The top of the bus, carrying 28 passengers, hit the top of a tunnel at about 10:04 a.m. as the driver took the wrong way.
Chinese splurge in Spring Festival holiday, observing tradition with innovation, safer ways
Before the holiday that began Jan.27, people across China scrambled for tickets, traveled long distances from their work posts to their ancestral residences for family reunions. They had good days with family members, playing fireworks, going shopping and dining, visiting temple fairs or going to cinema.
UN Removes Afghan Warlord Hekmatyar From Terrorist List
A screen shows the broadcast of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar during a signing ceremony with Afghan government at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 29, 2016.
Police: Koreans safe in NegOcc
TOP officials of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office led by Senior Superintendent William Senoron met with the leaders of the Korean community Friday afternoon to assure them that they are safe in the province. The meeting, held at Nocppo headquarters at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City around 4 p.m., came on the heels of the investigations on the kidnapping of a South Korean businessman who was eventually killed inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
UN removed the name of a former warlord form its blacklist
KABUL, Afghanistan – The United Nations has removed the name of a former Afghan warlord from its Islamic State group and al-Qaida sanctions list. According to a statement posted Friday by the Security Council, a U.N. committee removed Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s name from the sanctions list.
US-Japan alliance ‘cornerstone’ of stability: Mattis1 hour ago
US Defence Secretary James Mattis today told his Japanese counterpart that their alliance remained a “cornerstone” of regional stability as he wrapped up a visit aimed at reassuring key Asian allies about Washington’s commitment to their security. Japan and the US have a decades-long security alliance while US-South Korea military ties date back to the 1950-53 Korean War.
RPT-Pirates, cyclones and mud: Bangladesh’s island solution to Rohingya crisis
Feb 4 The island is two hours by boat from the nearest settlement. There are no buildings, mobile phone reception or people.
UPDATE 1-Japan says it hopes Mattis visit strengthens regional security
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis shakes hands with Japan’s Defense Minister Tomomi Inada during their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Japan, February 4, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks to Japan’s Defense Minister Tomomi Inada during their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Japan, February 4, 2017.
One local immigrant’s story
A mere two years ago, the native of Afghanistan was an interpreter in his home country helping with counter drug-dealing operations.
Afghan Forces Repel Taliban Attack in Helmand Province
Afghan National Army soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint on the way to the Sangin district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 23, 2015. Afghan forces claim to have repulsed a Taliban attack on a district in Helmand province.
Can Females Get ‘Tree Man Syndrome’? Bangladeshi Girl May…
It is extremely rare, but previous cases of the syndrome have affected only men. Sahana Khatun, a 10-year-old girl in Bangladesh, is suspected to be the world’s first female with the disease.
18:10 Nazarbayev warns Finance Minister over efficient use of public…
Minister of Finance Bakhyt Sultanov delivered a report about the main results of the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan in 2016 during the enlarged session of the Government chaired by President Nursultan Nazarbayev on February 3. The budget revenues increased by 1.3 trillion tenge or by 25% in 2016, he said. Budget savings amounted to 110 billion tenge.
This CEO was hoping for a Trump tax cut. Hea s getting more than he bargained for.
When President Trump won the election, James Hagedorn was ready to take it to the bank. The chief executive of Scotts Miracle-Gro expected that Republicans He did not expect that Republicans would take such a broad approach to fulfilling Trump’s promises on trade, with stiff new taxes on imports.
Queen congratulates Sri Lanka on 69th Independence Day
Feb 03, Colombo: The Queen Elizabeth II of England has sent a congratulatory message to Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on the occasion of the country’s 69th National Independence Day. “It gives me great pleasure to send Your Excellency Maithripala Sirisena my congratulations on the celebration of your National Day, together with my best wishes for the good fortune and happiness of the people of Sri Lanka in the coming year.
Of race and opera: Two views on ‘Nixon in China’ a ” and theatrical stereotypes a ” in Houston
Art provokes. And sparks conversations. The Houston Grand Opera’s recent production of John Adams’ ‘Nixon in China’ has done just that, drawing strong responses from two critics – Scott Cantrell in Dallas and Wei-Huan Chen of Houston.Their perspectives, on matters of race, history and how a viewer should interpret what they’re seeing on an opera stage – are here.
North Korea ‘fires security chief’ in new Kim Jong Un purge
North Korea’s state security minister was sacked last month, presumably over corruption, abuse of power and torture committed by his agency, Seoul has said. A vehicle loaded with North Korean missiles during a mass military parade in Pyongyang, as it was reported that the country’s security chief has been sacked North Korea’s state security minister was sacked last month, presumably over corruption, abuse of power and torture committed by his agency, Seoul has said.
U.S., South Korea agree to deploy THAAD this year, South says
U.S. and South Korean defence chiefs have agreed to deploy a U.S. missile defence system in South Korea this year to counter the threat from North Korea, South Korea’s defence ministry said on Friday. U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is on his two-day visit to Seoul, meeting South Korean top officials including Defence Minister Han Min-koo.
South Korea president’s office block prosecutors’ searches1 hour ago
South Korean officials today turned away prosecutors trying to search the president’s mountainside compound, a confrontation that highlights the tensions of an investigation into a scandal that knocked President Park Geun-hye from power. Prosecutors want to question Park and search her presidential Blue House for more information about events that led to her impeachment in December.
The footage shows the build-up to the death.
Footage never previously shown in public has been released of the moments prior to the fatal shooting of an Afghan insurgent that led to the conviction of the British serviceman known as Marine A. The head cam footage, released on Thursday following a court ruling, shows the build-up to the death of the wounded Taliban fighter at the hands of Sergeant Alexander Blackman in 2011. Blackman shot the insurgent – already seriously injured in an attack by an Apache helicopter – in the chest at close range with a 9mm pistol before quoting a phrase from Shakespeare’s Hamlet as the man convulsed and died in front of him.
China’s first vertical forest is rising in Nanjing
Stefano Boeri Architetti is bringing the vertical forest concept popularized in Milan to Nanjing, China with the Nanjing Towers . The two green towers could provide the city with a breath of fresh air, producing around 132 pounds of oxygen every day as they absorb carbon dioxide.
NHK biased in reporting Seoul-Tokyo comfort women deal: civic groups
Japanese public broadcaster NHK was accused by local civic groups on Thursday of selectively airing misinformed opinions that were in favor of an agreement between Seoul and Tokyo on the “comfort women” issue. The groups — Violence Against Women in War Research Action Center and the National Movement for Resolving the Issue of the Military Comfort Women — held a press conference at the National Diet’s House of Representatives to address what they called NHK’s “biased program” on Jan. 24. “NHK has created a bias towards South Korea by manipulating information regarding public opinion and movement.