Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile Saturday in apparent defiance of a US push for tougher international sanctions to curb the Asian country’s nuclear threat. “North Korea fired an unidentified missile from a site in the vicinity of Bukchang in Pyeongannam-do (South Pyeongan Province) …
Read More »US ready to talk to North Korea
US seeks talks with North Korea to solve nuke issue Washington, United States | AFP | The United States is not ruling out direct dialogue with North Korea on its nuclear program, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in an interview with National Public Radio. “Obviously, that would be the …
Read More »China more interested in Macron’s marriage than his politics
Beijing, China | AFP | China is closely following France’s presidential election, but web users appear less interested in the politics than the unusual marriage between moderate candidate Emmanuel Macron and his former teacher. Comparisons with the characters of a popular Chinese television drama called “In the Name of the People” …
Read More »US THAAD missiles arrive in Seoul, China not amused
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | Trailers carrying US THAAD missile defence equipment entered a deployment site in South Korea early Wednesday with tensions high over North Korea’s intentions, Yonhap news agency reported. Arrival of the six trailers at the golf course location sparked clashes between locals and police, the …
Read More »China’s Xi Jinping urges ‘restraint’ on North Korea as US carrier nears
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “restraint” on North Korea in a phone call with Donald Trump Monday, as Japan joined drills with an American supercarrier heading to the Korean peninsula. The US leader has repeatedly called on China, the North’s sole major ally, to do …
Read More »US Defense Secretary Mattis visits strategic Djibouti
Djibouti, Djibouti | AFP | US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived Sunday for a short visit to Djibouti, a strategic Horn of Africa nation which hosts Washington’s only permanent military base on the continent. Camp Lemonnier, home to some 4,000 US soldiers and contractors, is vital to US military operations …
Read More »China’s Q1 growth stabilises at 6.8%: AFP poll
Beijing, China | AFP | China’s growth stabilised in the first quarter thanks to rising investments and a recovery in exports, experts said, though they warned the reprieve may be temporary. According to an AFP survey of 16 economic analysts, the gross domestic product expanded 6.8 percent in the first …
Read More »China seeks Russia’s help to ‘cool’ North Korea situation
Beijing, China | AFP | China is seeking Russia’s help to cool surging tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, the country’s foreign minister has told his Moscow counterpart, after Beijing warned of possible conflict over North Korea. Fears over the North’s rogue weapons programme have soared in recent days, with a …
Read More »Spotlight on China as North Korea prepares for war
China warns of war as North Korea vows ‘merciless’ response to US Beijing, China | AFP | China issued a stern warning Friday that a conflict over North Korea could break out “at any moment”, as Pyongyang vowed a “merciless” response to any US military action. Tensions in the region …
Read More »China warns there will be no winner in North Korea war
North Korea army vows ‘merciless’ response to US provocation Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea’s army on Friday vowed a ‘merciless’ response to any US provocation, as tensions soar over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme and speculation mounts that it is preparing a fresh weapons test. Pyongyang’s rogue atomic ambitions …
Read More »