US pressure on Iran starting to tell, as sanctions and blockade bite
DUBAI — A US campaign to throttle Iran’s economy by blockading its oil exports and stopping sanctions evasion is growing increasingly difficult to withstand, three senior Iranian sources said. Washington has in recent weeks sought to ratchet up the economic pressure on Tehran, in an effort to extract concessions in any future negotiation that six […]
Japan’s record rains strand thousands at Narita airport; kill eight
OAMISHIROSATO, Japan — Record rainfall in Japan stranded thousands of travelers at Tokyo’s Narita airport on Friday, bringing floods to the surrounding area that disrupted transport, knocked out power to 20,000 homes and killed eight. During one of Japan’s busiest holiday weeks, more than 360 mm (14 inches) of rain fell in 24 hours in […]
Hopes for Hormuz deal fade as Trump demands Iranian reparations
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Monday responded to Iran’s conditions for a peace deal with his own demands that Iran pay compensation for people killed in wars, attacks and protests, in a rhetorical escalation likely to complicate efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Mr. Trump’s proposal, which had not been raised before, […]
Trump says he’d be ‘disappointed’ if China sends weapons to Iran
PRESIDENT Donald J. Trump said he would be “disappointed” in China if they provided weapons to Iran, repeating assurances he said Xi Jinping had made to him that Beijing would not sell arms to Tehran. Mr. Trump was asked on Wednesday about a report from Reuters that Iran is expected to receive a shipment of […]
Rubio says US committed to helping end Ukraine war after meeting Lavrov
MANILA — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the United States remains prepared to play a “constructive role” in helping bring an end to the war in Ukraine, following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Manila. Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Rubio […]
Sandiganbayan rejects Estrada bid to attend Duterte impeachment trial
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division denied detained Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada’s request to attend the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, ruling that his participation as a senator-judge was incompatible with his status as a detention prisoner and did not constitute a compelling ground for temporary leave from detention. In a seven-page […]
Climate change, El Niño worsen extreme weather, economic losses, experts warn
Climate experts warned that a strong El Niño developing alongside human-caused global warming is expected to intensify heat waves, droughts, storms, food insecurity, and economic losses worldwide, with vulnerable communities facing some of the most severe impacts. During an online briefing titled “Fuel on Fire: Reporting El Niño and the True Costs of Climate Change” […]
North Korean, Chinese leaders agree to boost ties at Pyongyang summit
SEOUL/BEIJING — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and China’s Xi Jinping agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of politics, economy and culture at a summit in Pyongyang that opened a new chapter in ties, North Korea’s official KCNA news agency said on Tuesday. Making his first visit in seven years to China’s only […]
US House votes for measure that would end Iran war, in blow to Trump
WASHINGTON — The Republican-led US House of Representatives approved a resolution on Wednesday to block President Donald Trump from continuing the war against Iran, reflecting growing concern among members of his party about the three-month-old conflict. The House voted 215 to 208, as four Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of the war powers resolution, […]
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin to be freed after royal pardon
BANGKOK — Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released from the remainder of his prison sentence under a royal pardon, the country’s justice minister told reporters on Wednesday. Mr. Thaksin, who was released on parole last month after serving eight months in prison, had just over three months remaining on his […]