Ankara, Turkey | AFP | The status of Jerusalem is a “red line” for Muslims and could even prompt Turkey to cut ties with Israel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Tuesday, as US President Donald Trump mulled whether to recognise the city as the Israeli capital. Erdogan said Turkey, which …
Read More »UN envoy arrives in North Korea as nuclear tensions soar
Beijing, China | AFP | A senior United Nations official arrived in North Korea on Tuesday for a rare visit aimed at defusing soaring tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme. Jeffrey Feltman’s visit — the first by a UN diplomat of his rank since 2010 — comes less than a week …
Read More »US, South Korea begin largest-ever joint air drill
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | The US and South Korea on Monday kicked off their largest ever joint air exercise, an operation North Korea has labelled an “all-out provocation”, days after Pyongyang fired its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile. The five-day Vigilant Ace drill — involving 230 aircraft, including F-22 …
Read More »Fashion photographer Bruce Weber accused of sexual harassment
New York, United States | AFP | Another big name in fashion photography, Bruce Weber, has been accused of sexually harassment involving a male model, according to a suit filed in New York. The 71-year-old Weber, who worked for Vogue and helped forge the image of such brands as Calvin Klein, …
Read More »Korea tensions rise ahead of US-South Korea joint military drill
Washington, United States | AFP | Tensions were on the rise Sunday ahead of the largest ever US-South Korea air exercise, with Pyongyang calling it an “all-out provocation” that could lead to nuclear conflict as a US lawmaker warned of a growing likelihood of “preemptive war” on the divided peninsula. The …
Read More »US lawmaker: likelihood of ‘preemptive war’ with N.Korea grows
Washington, United States | AFP | A top Republican lawmaker warned Sunday that the United States moves closer to preemptive war with North Korea every time Pyongyang carries out a missile or nuclear test. North Korea’s test launch this week of an intercontinental ballistic missile has sent tensions soaring once again …
Read More »Trump denies asking FBI to drop Flynn probe
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump denied Sunday having asked then FBI director James Comey to stop investigating ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn, as the Russia meddling probe darkened what would otherwise have been a victorious week for the Republican president. Trump appeared to be backtracking …
Read More »N. Korea blasts ‘dangerous’ US-South joint military drill
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea Sunday blasted the United States and South Korea as “warmongers” on the eve of their largest-ever joint air exercise, saying it could trigger a nuclear war. The comments came as White House National Security Advisor H.R McMaster warned of the “increasing” possibility …
Read More »Erdogan says Turkey cannot be ‘condemned by courts’ in US
Ankara, Turkey | AFP | President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Turkey could never be “condemned by virtual courts” in the US after he was implicated in a scheme allegedly designed to subvert US sanctions on Iran during a trial in New York. Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab had …
Read More »US, French embassies in Brazzaville step up security over ‘threat’
Brazzaville, Congo | AFP | The US and French embassies in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, said Friday Congolese authorities had beefed up security at their buildings after receiving threats. The French embassy on its website said “a message relating to possible attacks” had been received overnight Wednesday. …
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