홈 > 국제
-
Public's help sought after rare birds stolen from California zoo
The missing Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (L) and the missing Nicobar pigeon (R) were stolen from their cages in a California zoo. (File photo by=Alamy/Fresno Chaffee Zoo) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] A California zoo is appealing for the public's help after two endangered birds were stolen from their cages. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo said security footage showed a person cutting through locks and escaping with the pair stuffed in a duffle bag. The alleged bird bandit made off with a lesser sulfur-crested cockatoo and a Nicobar pigeon, the zoo said. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species classifies the lesser sulfur-crested cockatoo as "critically endangered" - its third-highest category of concern - and lists the Nicobar pigeon as "near threatened". The stolen birds are elderly long-term residents of the zoo and were taken from the Australian Asian Aviary before the facility opened on Sunday morning. Both birds require special treatment because of their advanced age - 27 and 32 - she added: "We do not know the condition of either bird and we hope to get them back quickly so that our veterinary team can examine them and continue the care they require."Fresno Police Lt Tim Tietjen, who is investigating the robbery, told CBS in Fresno that the culprit was wearing all black clothing and a mask, and jumped over a fence to access the enclosure. One possible motivation for the bird-napping is that both species can be legally owned as part of the pet trade, said Mr. Morris.
-
Nepal's female soldiers break taboos to tackle COVID-19 crisis
Female soldiers smile as they speak with each other while posing for group pictures at the premises of army barracks in Kathmandu, Nepal on Nov 21, 2020. (File photo by= Reuters/Navesh Chitrakar) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Four women wearing protective gear lift the body of a COVID-19 victim at the Pashupati crematorium in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, and hand it over to crematory workers: A scene unimaginable in the conservative country in recent years. Women touching a dead body is still a cultural taboo in Nepal. But rights for women have improved since the majority-Hindu country emerged from a decade-long conflict in 2006 and abolished its centuries-old feudal monarchy two years later. The women carrying corpses in Kathmandu, all soldiers, are being deployed for the first time as the nation of 30 million people tries to manage the bodies of COVID-19 victims amid the growing pandemic. “I feel privileged and happy for being given a chance to do the work that was done only by the males so far,” said one of the women, a 25-year-old corporal named Rachana, who asked to be identified by just one name. On their first day on the job last month, the four moved six bodies from a hospital to a crematorium. Nepal Army spokesman Shantosh B Poudyal said the 95,000-strong force was putting women soldiers in new roles, part of a program to empower them. Nepal's army is responsible for managing the bodies of coronavirus victims across the nation.
-
UK minister suggests no COVID-19 vaccine, no normal life
A small shopping basket filled with vials labeled "COVID-19 - Coronavirus Vaccine" is placed on a UK flag in this illustration taken November 29, 2020. Picture taken November 29, 2020. (File photo by=REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] People who refuse a vaccine for COVID-19 could find normal life curtailed as restaurants, bars, cinemas, and sports venues could block entry to those who don’t have proof they are inoculated, Britain’s new vaccine minister said on Monday. Several major COVID-19 vaccines announced in weeks, raising hopes that the world could soon return to some semblance of normality after the coronavirus killed 1.46 million people and wiped out a chunk of the global economy. The British minister responsible for the vaccine rollout, Nadhim Zahawi, said getting vaccinated should be voluntary but that Google, Facebook, and Twitter should do more to fact-check opposing views of vaccines. Asked by the BBC if there would be an immunity passport, Zahawi said a person’s COVID-19 vaccine status might be included in a phone app that would tell local doctors of a person’s status.“The sort of pressure will come to both ways: from service providers - who will say ‘look, prove to us that you have been vaccinated’ - but also we will make the technology as easy and accessible as possible.” Health authorities in many countries have become increasingly concerned in recent years by the growth of anti-vaccine groups, which are especially active on social media. The message, he said, should be that a vaccine is good for the community and the country.
-
Ivory Coast, Ghana cancel cocoa sustainability schemes run by Hershey
A farmer opens a cocoa pod at a cocoa farm in Bobia, Gagnoa, Ivory Coast, December 6, 2019. (File photo by=REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Ivory Coast and Ghana are canceling all cocoa sustainability schemes that U.S.-based Hershey runs in their countries, accusing the chocolate-maker of trying to avoid paying a cocoa premium aimed at combating farmer poverty. In a letter addressed to Hershey and seen by Reuters, the Ivorian, and Ghanaian cocoa regulators accuse Hershey of sourcing unusually large volumes of physical cocoa on the ICE futures exchange in order to avoid the premium, known as a living income differential (LID). The letter, which also accuses Fuji Oil Holdings’ Blommer subsidiary of aiding Hershey, was verified as authentic by spokespeople for the regulators. The schemes certify cocoa as sustainably sourced - meaning its production is free of environmental and human rights abuses, such as using child labor or being grown in a protected forest. Ivory Coast and Ghana, which produce two-thirds of the world’s cocoa, said they are also barring third party companies from running sustainability schemes in the West African nations on behalf of Hershey. This allows companies to market their chocolate as ethical and charge a premium for it. Blommer had no immediate comment. The Cocoa Merchants Association of America (CMAA) is “condoning and conniving with American companies against poor West African cocoa farmers”, the document, also verified as authentic by the Ivorian and Ghanaian regulators, read. The CMAA didn’t respond to Reuters' requests via email and phone for comment.
-
U.N. to allow longer period of sanctions exemption for humanitarian aid to North Korea
The U.N. committee also said it will streamline humanitarian assistance specifically related to tackling global pandemics, including COVID-19. (Photo from Causcasus Times News Website) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] A U.N. Security Council panel has approved a proposal to extend the exemption period for sanctions on humanitarian assistance to North Korea and streamline procedures to allow easier delivery of aid to the impoverished country, its website showed Tuesday. The North Korea sanctions committee on Monday (U.S. time) adopted a revision to its "Implementation Assistance Notice No. 7" with regard to sanctions on Pyongyang, extending the exemption period from the current six months to nine months. The "Implementation Assistance Notice No. 7," issued in August 2018, provides the guidelines for obtaining exemptions to deliver humanitarian aid to North Korea, under which aid groups have received an exemption of six months when approved. Under the revised resolution, the exemption period will be extended to nine months, and longer exemptions can be granted to aid groups that provide "a well-founded justification, such as transportation delays related to a pandemic," the U.N. panel said. Aid organizations will also be allowed to deliver their items in three shipments during the exempted period, allowing urgent items to be shipped first. Currently, organizations are required to deliver their assistance in one shipment. The revision to the assistance notice, proposed by the U.S., appears to have been accepted by all 15 member countries in the council.
-
China gave COVID-19 vaccine candidate to North Korea's Kim: US analyst
KCNA picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presides over the 21st Enlarged Meeting of the Political Bureau of the Seventh Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang. (File photo by= Reuters) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] China has provided North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his family with an experimental coronavirus vaccine, a US analyst said on Tuesday (Dec 1), citing two unidentified Japanese intelligence sources. Harry Kazianis, a North Korea expert at the Center for the National Interest think tank in Washington, said the Kims and several senior North Korean officials had been vaccinated. It's unclear which company had supplied its drug candidate to the Kims and whether it had proven to be safe, he added. "Kim Jong Un and multiple other high-ranking officials within the Kim family and leadership network have been vaccinated for coronavirus within the last two to three weeks thanks to a vaccine candidate supplied by the Chinese government," Kazianis wrote in an article for online outlet 19FortyFive. Citing US medical scientist Peter J Hotez, he said at least three Chinese companies were developing a coronavirus vaccine, including Sinovac Biotech, CanSinoBio and Sinophram Group.Sinopharm says its candidate has been used by nearly 1 million people in China, although none of the firms was known to have publicly launched Phase 3 clinical trials of their experimental COVID-19 drugs.
-
Kim Jong Un is cutting off his economic lifeline, China, to stave off Covid-19
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the 19th Meeting of the Political Bureau of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). (File photo by=Reuters) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Kim Jong Un appears to have kicked North Korea's pandemic prevention plan into overdrive, further tightening the country's nearly impassable borders, cutting off nearly all trade with China, and even allegedly executing a customs official for failing to handle imported goods appropriately. Beijing exported just $253,000 worth of goods to Pyongyang in October a 99% drop from September to October, according to data published by China's customs administration. China is North Korea's biggest trading partner and Kim's regime's economic lifeline. Before major UN sanctions were placed as punishment for North Korea's nuclear weapons program in 2016 and 2017, Beijing accounted for more than 90% of Pyongyang's foreign trade. The new customs figures, if accurate, show that Kim appears willing to step back, or even cut off trade with China to prevent the virus from entering North Korea, even if it means risking the country's food and fuel supply. The move is even more extreme considering mainland China is only reporting a handful of cases each day. North Korea hasn't publicly acknowledged the drop in a trade or the reason behind it, but the pandemic is the most likely explanation. Additionally, North Korea's crumbling health care infrastructure is unlike enough in treating a large number of patients sickened with a virus that the global health care community still does not fully understand.
-
Jimin’s “Flowers For ARMY” video becomes the most viewed among BTS’s Life Goes
BTS Jimin’svideo is the most viewed on TikTok. (Photo from Wallpaper Access) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] BTS Jimin’s “Flowers For ARMY” video garnered the greatest number of views among the Life Goes On series clips on BTS’s official Tiktok channel. Jimin also held the top two most-viewed solo videos on BTS’s official Tiktok channel. Beginning November 20, BTS posted short videos of members working on some artistic crafts for ARMY, the collective name for BTS's fans, with their latest album’s title track Life Goes On as background music (BGM) on Tiktok, the world's largest short video clip sharing site. As of November 29, Jimin’s video entitled “Flowers for ARMY” received the highest number of views of 15.5 million among the series. In the video, Jimin is seen engraving the words “Life Goes On” on a glass vase, using colorful pens showcasing his gorgeous penmanship. After he artistically decorated the vase, he put in some white flowers and gestured to offer the flowers to the viewers, most especially to the fans. The video highlighted Jimin’s unique visuals and unrivaled charms which is complemented by the flowers. Tiktok Korea’s official Twitter posted Jimin’s video on November 29.
-
JYP Entertainment Sabotaging GOT7's Upcoming Comeback?
JYP Entertainment's own Kpop boy group, GOT7. (Photo from The Fandom Queen) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] GOT7’s upcoming full-length album, Breath of Love: Last Piece will be released later today. Just hours before their album is supposed to release, news regarding their albums being out of stock on major purchasing sites have been released. As of November 29, on Hottracks, one of the largest album purchasing sites in Korea, the album has been totally sold out. Hottracks has apparently also removed the album itself from their website causing fans to raise questions against JYPE. Along with JYPE possibly not stocking enough albums, it has also been revealed that JYPE may not be having a showcase for GOT7’s album release and also has not revealed a music video teaser for their title track, Last Piece. Fans are outraged seeing the partiality from the company. Voicing frustration against the company asking them why is it that GOT7 may not be having a showcase when all JYPE groups have always had showcases for their album releases. Seeing a group not release even one MV teaser in time for their album release, unheard of right? As of 12 am KST November 30, there has not even been one music video teaser released, leaving fans in utter shock. How much longer do GOT7 and GOT7’s fans have to deal with lower than bare minimum treatment before JYPE starts taking action?
-
UP10TION's Bitto tests positive for COVID-19, will go into quarantine
UP10TION's Bitto has tested positive for COVID-19. (Photo from Okezone Celebrity) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] P10TION's Bitto has tested positive for COVID-19. T.O.P Media revealed that on the 29th, after Bitto's schedule, he was contacted by the Ministry of Health as someone who came into close contact with a COVID-19 patient. He was tested right away and received a positive diagnosis on the 30th in the morning. T.O.P Media confirmed that all the artists and staff that came into contact with Bitto are currently being tested and that the company building will go under quarantine and follow the Ministry of Health's instructions. The company apologized to all the staff who unknowingly came into contact with Bitto after he didn't realize he got in contact with a COVID-19 patient. UP10TION will be canceling all future activities for now. Get well soon, Bitto.
-
PH's Roxanne Baeyens 'beyond grateful' to be new Miss Earth-Water titleholder
Miss Earth-Water 2020 Roxanne Baeyens. (Photo from roxieebae Instagram) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA – Roxanne Baeyens, who represented the Philippines in the recently concluded Miss Earth 2020 pageant, took to social media to say she is beyond grateful to be given this year’s Miss Earth-Water crown. Posting on Instagram, the 23-year old Filipina beauty noted she has changed a lot and grown so much as a person throughout her journey this past year. “Learning to find the confidence as a spokesperson is not the easiest journey but I have found power in my voice along the way,” she wrote.“Environmental Protection has grown in me day by day and I know this is what should be given more importance while we are still given the gift to live,” she added. Towards the latter part of her post, Baeyens said she has so much gratitude for the Miss Earth Organization because they helped her find who she truly is and what she is destined for. Baeyens also thanked all the Filipinos and everyone who held her hands and showed her that she can do it. “It was a year-long journey of up and downs, twist and twirl, but if there’s one thing I have learned, it is that everything worth having is worth working hard for with all your heart. This is for us, all of us,” she said. Congratulations!
-
EXO’s Kai talks about his solo debut
XO's Kai at the press conference of his newly released album, "KAI". (Photo from Kai Press conference) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] EXO’s Kai talked about his highly-anticipated solo debut! Kai held a press conference for his first solo album “KAI.” The album contains six tracks including the title track “Mmmh.” Fellow EXO member Baekhyun was the MC at the event. Releasing his first solo album eight years after his debut, Kai shared, “Since it’s my first time greeting fans with a solo album, I feel awkward, nervous, and excited. I wasn’t nervous until a moment ago. I had no thoughts, but after arriving here, I feel excited and nervous. I’ve showcased solo performances at EXO concerts and shows, but I’m nervous and excited because it’s my first time officially releasing a solo album. Baekhyun achieved the title of ‘million-seller‘ this year. I’m proud, and I’ve gained strength from that energy.” After watching the MV, Kai commented, “My heart hurts. Watching my first music video made my heart hurt and beat faster. Now it feels real.” He asked Baekhyun, “Did you feel this way too?” and Baekhyun replied, “When I first saw mine, I wondered, ‘Why am I so swollen?’ and could only see things like that. Kai’s music video definitely gives off the feeling of artist Kai.” Kai explained that the title of the album meant “to open,” and it reflected his desire to open the hearts of the general public.
-
Duterte thanks Australian PM for UN manifestation vs Beijing’s sea claims
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte thanks Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his help with PH's problem on sea claims. (Photo from Inquirer) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte thanked the Australian government for its manifestation before the United Nations affirming the Arbitral Award on the South China Sea territorial dispute. In a statement Monday, Malacañang said Duterte and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had an “open and productive” telephone conversation over a variety of issues including maritime security. The Palace said Duterte “welcomed Australia’s interest to enhance cooperation with ASEAN on maritime security, countering marine plastic debris, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity.” The President also “thanked the Government of Australia for its formal manifestation before the United Nations affirming the Arbitral Award on the South China Sea issue.” “We consider Australia a close partner in upholding international law, including UNCLOS, and in promoting maritime security,” Duterte was quoted as saying in the Palace press statement. In a letter to the United Nations in July, the Australian Government said China’s claims in the disputed waters were “without legal basis.” Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of Philippine territory. But a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) invalidated China’s ambitious nine-dash line feature that virtually owns the entire body of water. Duterte likewise took the opportunity to thank Morrison for Australia’s assistance for the victims of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses and for the country’s COVID19 response.
-
PH trails behind India, China in countries where highly educated migrants come from
Filipino nurse Marciana Erispe tends to a mother inside the maternity ward of the government-run Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Manila. (Photo from Eloisa Lopez) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] The Philippines trails behind India and China when it comes to the most common birth countries of highly educated migrants living in countries under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). India topped the list, with 3.12 million migrants known to be residing in OECD nations as of 2015 to 2016, as per the OECD via Statista. China followed suit with 2.25 million migrants, the Philippines with 1.89 million migrants, the United Kingdom with 1.75 million migrants, and Germany with 1.47 million migrants. The statistics were based on a working paper from the OECD published last Feb. 20, “A Global Profile of Emigrants to OCED Countries: Younger and More Skilled Migrants from More Diverse Countries.” It was reported that 120 million people make up the adult foreign-born population of OECD countries from 2015 to 2016. Health care professionals, especially nurses, comprise much of the highly skilled Filipino migrants in OECD countries and elsewhere. Citing a 2005 working paper on Philippine health workers migration commissioned by the International Labour Organization, the report found that Filipino nurses represented the largest category of health workers leaving the country, followed by midwives and doctors. This phenomenon is informally referred to as “brain drain,” or the exodus of highly educated and highly trained people from their birth country for jobs in other countries.
-
아프가니스탄, 마약 폐기
아프가니스탄 회수한 마약은 낭가르하르주에서 소실되는 모습 28일/(신화통신/아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자) [아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자] 아프간 낭가르하르 주의 집중 판매에 24톤이 넘는 노획한 마약을 파괴했다. gkwns4424@naver.com
-
이스라엘, 일부 학교 개학
이스라엘 코로나 19 때문에 야외에서 수업을 하고 있는 모습 29일/(신화통신/아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자) [아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자] 이스라엘 정부의 비준에 따라 발병률이 낮은 그린이나 옐로 도시의 고교 캠퍼스가 지난 29일부터 재개관했다. gkwns4424@naver.com
-
스리랑카 콜롬보, 주민들의 주말 시간
스리랑카 콜롬에서 포카레피스 그린스퀘어에서 한 상인이 공중에 거품을 뿌려 손님을 끌어 모으고 있는 모습 28일/(신화통신/아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자) [아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자] 인도양에 인접한 갈레피스 그린스퀘어 스리랑카 콜롬보에 있는 금융 및 상업 지구 중심지에서 코로나 19 전염병 발생 상황을 방지하고 제어하는 조치가 점차적으로 이루어짐에 따라 긴장을 풀고 주말을 맞아 이곳으로 나들이와 여가를 즐기려는 주민들이 늘고 있다. gkwns4424@naver.com
-
쿠웨이트, 코로나 19 소에서 집중호우
쿠웨이트에서 다무이다오바마 주에서 촬영된 비온 뒤 물이 고이는 거리 모습 28일/(신화통신/아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자) [아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자] 쿠웨이트 일부 지역은 지난 28일 저녁 조우강우 날씨였다. gkwns4424@naver.com
-
벨기에, 수도 크리스마스 트리 점등
벨기에 브뤼셀 광장에 사람들이 구경을 하는 모습 28일/(신화통신/아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자) [아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자] 벨기에 브뤼셀 광장은 크리스마스 시즌을 맞이하여 밝은 크리스마스 트리가 점등했다. 벨기에는 현재 코로나19 통제에 대비하고 있는 시행 과정에서 크리스마스 마켓을 없애는 것도 포함된다. gkwns4424@naver.com
-
영국-유럽, 미래관계 협상 런던서 대면 회담 재개
영국 런던에서 유럽미셸 바니에(가운데) 동맹 수석대표가 영국 측과의 협상장으로 향하고 있는 모습 28일/(신화통신/아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자) [아시아뉴스통신=장하준 기자] 영국-유럽 미래관계 협상은 런던에서 대면 회담을 재개하였다. 유럽 협상팀 단 한 명이 코로나19 바이러스 검사 때문에 양성 반응을 보여서 새로운 영국과 유럽 협상은 중단될 수밖에 없었다. gkwns4424@naver.com
-
2020 월드 트래블 어워드, 세계 최고의 여행지는?
몰디브가 2020 월드 트래블 어워드에서 세계 최고의 여행지로 선정됐다.(사진제공=몰디브관광청) [아시아뉴스통신=유지현 기자] 몰디브가 2020년 월드 트래블 어워드 그랜드 파이널에서 세계 최고의 여행지로 선정됐다. 몰디브는 두바이, 모리셔스, 말레이시아, 스페인 등 총 22개 후보 여행지와 경쟁한 이번 대회에서 섬 나라로는 최초로 세계 최고의 여행지로 선정됐다. 뿐만 아니라, 몰디브는 여행지, 호텔 & 리조트, 월드 등 총 40개 여행 카테고리에 후보로 이름을 올리기도 했다. 이 외에, 몰디브 내 위치한 세인트 레지스 몰디브 보뮬리 리조트, 포시즌스 리조트 몰디브 쿠다 후라 등 7개 리조트는 월드 리딩 럭셔리 아일랜드 리조트, 월드 리딩 워터 빌라 리조트 등으로 선정됐다. 압둘라 마우섬(Abdulla Mausoom) 몰디브 관광부 장관은 “몰디브가 세계 최고의 여행지로 선정된 것은 세계적인 휴양지로서의 몰디브에 대한 선호도 및 안전한 방역 절차 등에 대한 신뢰를 증명하는 것”이라고 말했다. 몰디브는 지난 7월 국경 개방 이후, ‘한 개의 섬에 한 개의 리조트 (one-island-one-reseort)’ 콘셉트로 방역 지침을 준수하며 전 세계 관광객을 맞이하고 있다. travelpress@naver.com
-
South Korea in talks with WFP to redeem money sent for North Korea rice aid
"We've pushed ahead to provide the North with 50,000 tons of rice through WFP, but there has been no change as of now," Yoh Sang-key, the ministry's spokesperson, told a briefing.(File photo by=Getty Images) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] The unification ministry said Monday that it is in talks with the World Food Programme (WFP) to redeem the money it sent for a project to provide rice assistance to North Korea after Pyongyang rejected the offer. In June last year, the ministry announced a plan to provide 50,000 tons of rice to North Korea through the WFP and sent the organization around US$11.6 million to cover transportation, equipment, and monitoring costs. The plan, however, has since been stalled as the North rejected the assistance offered in protest over joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. "We've pushed ahead to provide the North with 50,000 tons of rice through WFP, but there has been no change as of now," Yoh Sang-key, the ministry's spokesperson, told a briefing. "The government is conducting discussions with this international organization to redeem $11.77 million of operating costs," Yoh said the government aims to redeem the money by year's end.
-
Aviation tracker shows U.S. flies reconnaissance planes over South Korea
In this photo taken Feb. 16, 2012, a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane takes off during a training flight at the U.S. airbase in Osan, south of Seoul, South Korea. (File photo by=AP/Lee Jin-man) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] U.S. reconnaissance planes flew over South Korea for the past several days in a row, an aviation tracker showed, in an apparent move to monitor North Korea. The U.S. Air Force's RC-135W Rivet Joint was spotted flying over the western city of Incheon and the metropolitan areas early Monday, according to the tracker, No callsign. It specializes in detecting telemetry signals before missile launches and analyzing trajectories of warheads. Later that day, one EO-5C Crazy Hawk aircraft, along with three A-10 Thunderbolt II fighters and two KC-135R aerial tankers, was also spotted over South Korea. Over the weekend, the U.S. military flew the E-8C, or JSTARS, over South Korea's Yellow Sea and western regions, according to the aviation tracker. The E-8C is also known to be capable of closely monitoring the movements of North Korean troops and equipment, including missiles and artillery guns. The flights came amid speculation that the communist country could undertake provocations, such as missile launches, around the inauguration of the U.S. President-elect Joe Biden next month. Experts say the deployment of those reconnaissance aircraft would be part of their regular operations, but the U.S. might have let some of them be spotted intentionally to send a message of pressure to the North.
-
Kim Jong-un harshly criticizes' economic agencies before the party congress
The last photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shared by state media showed him at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers'' Party of Korea (WPK) on 11 April 2020 (File photo by=KCNA via Reuters) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a politburo meeting of the Workers' Party and "harshly criticized" economic agencies for failing to handle policy in a scientific manner, state media reported Monday. The criticism for tightening discipline of economic officials ahead of a rare party congress that Kim plans to hold in early January for the first time in four years to unveil a new five-year economic development plan. During the extended politburo meeting held Sunday, Kim also "discussed and studied as key agenda items the issue of hearing a report on the preparations for the 8th Congress of the WPK and taking corresponding measures," the Korean Central News Agency said. The meeting also "harshly criticized economic guidance organs for failing to provide scientific guidance" and "failing to overcome subjectivism and formalism in their work," the KCNA added, though it didn’t provide further details. North Korea suffered from a triple blow during summertime’s back-to-back typhoons, long border closure due to the global coronavirus pandemic, and global sanctions on its economy. South Korea's main intelligence agency said last week that North Korea executed a big shot in the country's money market in late October for a sudden exchange rate fluctuation amid speculation that the country's economic situations are getting worse.
-
Australia demands apology from China after fake image posted on social media
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives at Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, November 17, 2020.(File photo by =REUTERS/Issei Kato) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Australia demanded an apology after a senior Chinese official posted a fake image of an Australian soldier holding a knife with blood on it to the throat of an Afghan child, calling it “truly repugnant” and demanding it is taken down. Prime Minister Scott Morrison called a media briefing to condemn the posting of the image, marking another downturn in deteriorating relations between the two countries. The Australian government has asked Twitter to remove the image, posted on Monday by China’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on his official Twitter account, Morrison said. “It is the Australian government who should feel ashamed for their soldiers killing innocent Afghan civilians,” said Hua Chunying, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, when asked about Morrison’s comments. Australia has told 13 special forces, soldiers, they face dismissal in relation to an independent report on alleged unlawful killings in Afghanistan, the head of the country’s army said on Friday. Australia’s relationship with China has deteriorated since Canberra called for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Morrison said countries around the world were watching how Beijing responded to tensions in Australia’s relationship with China. Australia had “patiently sought” to address tensions in the relationship with China and wanted direct discussion between ministers, he said.
-
Trump 'ashamed' to have endorsed Republican Georgia governor
In this Nov. 4, 2018, file photo, then-Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp, left, walks with President Donald Trump as Trump arrives for a rally in Macon, Ga.(File photo by=AP/John Bazemore) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] President Donald Trump said on Sunday (Nov 29) he was “ashamed” for endorsing the Republican governor of Georgia after he lost in the state to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has seethed over losing the southern state, which hadn’t voted for a Democrat for president in nearly 30 years. In January, the state will decide whether the GOP retains control of the US Senate when voters decide two run-off Senate races. Trump said on Fox News that governor Brian Kemp has “done absolutely nothing” to question the state’s results. Trump has made baseless accusations that illegal votes cost him the election in Georgia and beyond. His legal challenges have failed in several states. Trump-backed Kemp’s campaign in 2018, boasting that his “full endorsement” helped him edge rising Democrat Stacey Abrams. In this month’s presidential contest, Biden beat Trump by about 12,670 votes. Trump on Saturday plans to arrive in the state he lost to campaign for the GOP incumbents. “We're making sure that Georgians are fired up to turn out to vote,” Loeffler said. “If we vote, we will win this election.”
-
Carrie Lam: Hong Kong's leader says she has to keep piles of cash at home
"Sitting in front of you is a chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) who has no banking service made available to her," Carrie Lam told local English TV channel HKIBC.(File photo by= EPA) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, has said in a TV interview that she has to keep "piles of cash" at home as she has no bank account. This is because of sanctions imposed on her by the US Treasury, she said. The sanctions on Ms. Lam and other officials were in response to China's new security law for Hong Kong. Her revelation has prompted social media speculation about how the government manages to transport the leader's generous salary to her home. In an interview broadcast on Friday night, she said she was "using cash every day for all the things". She also added that it was "very honorable" to be "unjustifiably sanctioned" by the US government. She is said to be one of the highest-paid leaders in the world and has been reported to earn an annual salary of HK$5.2m ($670,000; £500,000). In June, China imposed a controversial national security law on Hong Kong, which critics say threatens its freedoms and undermines the city's autonomy. It also makes it easier to punish protesters and there are fears it may lead to judicial independence being threatened. In response to the new law, Washington decided to freeze the US assets of a dozen Hong Kong officials and seize any property they may own in the US.
