Why a quarter-century after the end of the Cold War, we unexpectedly find ourselves in a second one COMMENT | RICHARD N. HAASS | The Cold War lasted four decades, in many ways both beginning and ending in Berlin. The good news is that it stayed cold largely because nuclear weapons …
Read More »Trump tariffs fuel sell-off in steel and aluminium firms
Hong Kong, China | AFP | Steel and aluminium producers across Asia sank Friday on news of Donald Trump’s controversial tariffs, though some analysts said the long-term effects on the sector might not be as bad as thought. The president said Thursday he would slap levies of 25 percent on …
Read More »Global warming will expose millions more to floods
Miami, United States | AFP | Global warming is expected to unleash more rain, exposing millions more people to river flooding particularly in the United States and parts of Asia, Africa and central Europe, researchers said Wednesday. The study in the journal Science Advances calculates how much more flood protection will …
Read More »Aubameyang deal dead as China champions vow to focus on youth
Shanghai, China | AFP | Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande appear to have ended any interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after a public dressing-down by football authorities in the country. The club coached by Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro had reportedly won a 72-million-euro tug-of-war with Chinese Super League (CSL) …
Read More »Trump backs US spies on Russia meddling, but slams Putin ‘haters’
Manila, Philippines | AFP | Donald Trump said Sunday he backed the US intelligence agencies which concluded that Russia meddled in the 2016 US presidential election, but slammed “fools” who oppose better ties with Moscow. Key former Trump aides are under US investigation for possible collaboration with the Kremlin, and …
Read More »N. Korea rules out negotiations as Trump heads to Asia
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea ruled out talks and threatened to increase its nuclear arsenal in a fresh warning to Donald Trump’s administration Saturday as the US President set off on a tour of Asia. Trump departed for his first presidential trip to Asia Friday, with tensions …
Read More »Trump departs for Asia, leaving trail of controversy
Andrews Air Force Base, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump departed Washington for an almost two week trip to Asia Friday, leaving in his wake a trail of scandal and invective that risks overshadowing efforts at top-level diplomacy. Trump left Joint Base Andrews, just outside Washington, bound for …
Read More »US commander must ‘imagine the unimaginable’ on NKorea
Singapore, Singapore | AFP | The top US commander in the Pacific warned Tuesday he must “imagine the unimaginable” in responding to the threat posed by the North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme. Admiral Harry Harris, head of the US Pacific Command, made clear that while diplomacy remains the preferred option in …
Read More »‘I’ve lost it!’ Tearful Syrian commentator goes viral
Hong Kong, China | AFP | A video in which a TV commentator broke down in tears while celebrating Syria’s priceless World Cup qualifying equaliser against Iran has gone viral, racking up more than one million views online. When Omar Al Soma scored in the 93rd minute, earning Syria a …
Read More »South Korea captain blames fans over draw
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | South Korea’s captain has upset his team’s fans by blaming them for disrupting on-field communications during a home draw with Iran that left their World Cup hopes in the balance. The 0-0 against 10-man South Korea national football teamleaves the Taeguk Warriors having to defeat …
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