By Josh Smith, Cynthia Kim SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for more advanced nuclear weapons and said the United States is “our biggest enemy,” state media said on Saturday, presenting a stark challenge to President-elect Joe Biden just days before he takes office. Washington’s hostile policies would not change regardless of who […]
By Yanni Chow, Yoyo Chow HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong police arrested dozens of democracy activists on Wednesday on suspicion of violating a new security law by planning to “paralyse” and “overthrow” the city government, Secretary for Security John Lee said. The arrests represent the biggest crackdown on the opposition camp since Beijing imposed the […]
By Elaine Lies TOKYO (Reuters) – Public health experts advising Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called on Tuesday for the swift imposition of a state of emergency in the Tokyo area as daily COVID-19 cases hit a record and some citizens accused the government of dragging its feet. The government’s top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary […]
By Aziz El Yaakoubi AL-ULA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) -Embracing Qatar’s ruler, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince pushed a deal to end a bitter row with Doha at a Gulf Arab summit on Tuesday to try to shore up an anti-Iran front, although a final declaration contained only a general pledge of solidarity. The kingdom’s foreign minister […]
By Sangmi Cha, Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) – Iran denied on Tuesday it was using a South Korean ship and its crew as hostages, a day after it seized the tanker in the Gulf while pressing a demand for Seoul to release $7 billion in funds frozen under U.S. sanctions. The seizure of the MT Hankuk Chemi […]
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the killing of 11 coal miners in the western Pakistani province of Balochistan. They were kidnapped by militants and killed near the coal mine on Saturday. The victims were members of a minority Shia community, the Hazara, repeatedly targeted by extremists because they are followers of Shia […]
Coronavirus pandemic Experts have raised concerns over India’s emergency approval of a locally-produced coronavirus vaccine before the completion of trials. On Sunday, Delhi approved the vaccine – known as Covaxin – as well as the global AstraZeneca Oxford jab, which is also being manufactured in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi touted the approval as a […]
Iran nuclear deal Iran has resumed enriching uranium to 20% purity, in its most significant breach yet of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The global nuclear watchdog confirmed that the process had begun at the underground Fordo plant on Monday. Enriched uranium can be used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear bombs. […]
By Krishna N. Das NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India on Sunday granted emergency approval to Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN but faced questions from industry experts and opposition lawmakers after taking the step without publishing efficacy data for the homegrown coronavirus vaccine. The news, announced by the drugs controller general of India (DCGI), was hailed by Prime Minister […]
Tata Group has increased its stake in AirAsia India as it looks to increase its share of India’s airline industry. On Tuesday the company announced it would increase its holdings in the Indian-based joint venture with AirAsia from 51% to 84%. AirAsia, owned by Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes, has been scaling back its operations during […]