Author: AFP

HK cops say no need for China to step in

Hong Kong’s police are confident they have the resources to continue battling pro-democracy protesters, even if violence escalates further, pouring cold water on concerns that the authoritarian mainland might need to intervene. Three senior commanders said they were unaware of any plans by China to bolster their own ranks with

Moon offers olive branch to Japan

SEOUL: South Korean President Moon Jae-in struck a conciliatory tone towards Japan yesterday, offering to “join hands” if Tokyo chooses dialogue as relations between the two countries dip to fresh lows. Seoul and Tokyo — both of them democracies and market economies — are mired in longrunning disputes over Japan’s

Myanmar rebels carry out unprecedented attack

YANGON: Myanmar’s military was yesterday fighting rebels who mounted an unprecedented strike at an army academy killing at least one, apparently in retaliation for massive drug seizures. Ethnic armed rebel groups have for decades fought against the military — and often between themselves — for land and resources in Myanmar’s

Japan’s new emperor speaks of deep remorse

TOKYO: Japan’s new emperor spoke yesterday of “deep remorse” over the country’s wartime past in his first speech to commemorate the end of World War II since his enthronement in May. Emperor Naruhito’s comments were being monitored in Tokyo and throughout Asia for any change in tone, but he closely

Modi hails path-breaking move

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed yesterday his “path-breaking” move to strip Kashmir of its autonomy, as his Pakistani counterpart warned of possible “ethnic cleansing”. Parts of Kashmir that India controls — it is split with arch-rival Pakistan — have been under lock down since August 4, with

Powerful Japan storm turns deadly

TOKYO: A powerful tropical storm lashed Japan yesterday, bringing strong winds and torrential rain that claimed at least one life, prompted warnings of landslides and flooding, and sparked evacuation advisories and travel chaos at a peak holiday period. Severe Tropical Storm Krosa — one notch below a typhoon — slammed

Court to decide fate of seized tanker

GIBRALTAR: Gibraltar’s Supreme Court was to decide yesterday whether an Iranian oil tanker seized last month near the tiny British territory can be held longer amid speculation that it might soon be released. The Grace 1 supertanker, carrying 2.1 million barrels of Iranian oil, was seized on July 4 by

El Paso unites to remember shooting victims

EL PASO (United States): The grieving US community of El Paso came together Wednesday night, standing up to the hatred that took the lives of 22 people, many of them Hispanic, in a mass shooting. Thousands of people including relatives of the victims gathered at a baseball field in the

Michelin-starred Gaggan to close in Bangkok at end of month

BANGKOK’S famed culinary powerhouse Gaggan will close its doors by the end of this month, its manager said Thursday, bringing a sudden end to the recently crowned fourth best restaurant in the world. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant, helmed by Gaggan Anand, has excited food lovers with its “progressive Indian cuisine” and