Japan to extend sanctions on North Korea

Beijing criticises Australia over South China Sea policy

China has criticised Australia for making “irresponsible remarks” over the South China Sea in a policy paper. On Thursday, Australia raised concerns about the “pace and scale” of China’s activities in the disputed zone – part of a wide-ranging document setting out Canberra’s foreign engagement strategy. Beijing said the paper was generally positive towards China, but Australia should not get involved in the dispute. The Australian government played down the criticism on Friday. In a briefing

24 Nov, 2017

Eight ‘North Korean fishermen’ wash ashore in Japan

A boat carrying eight men claiming to be North Korean fishermen has washed ashore the coast in Japan. Japanese police said the men were found at Yurihonjo city’s marina late on Thursday, and taken into custody. The men had told authorities that their boat experienced difficulties and they ended up drifting into Japanese waters. Japan regularly sees North Korean fishing boats straying into its territory, and its coastguard has occasionally had to rescue fishermen. But sometimes the boats – of

24 Nov, 2017

Rohingya crisis: US calls Myanmar action ‘ethnic cleansing’

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says Myanmar’s military action against the minority Muslim Rohingya population constitutes ethnic cleansing. He said the Rohingya had suffered “horrendous atrocities” and as a result the US was considering targeted sanctions against those responsible. In September,?UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein also accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing. Mr Tillerson’s comments come days before a visit to Myanmar by the Pope. The Rohingya are a stateless minorit

23 Nov, 2017