US accuses Iran of alarming provocations

Pope sets off for trip to Myanmar with Rohingya on agenda

Pope Francis has departed the Vatican for Myanmar on the first papal visit to the country that has this year been widely accused of ethnic cleansing. Focus will be likely be on whether he uses the term “Rohingya” to describe the country’s Muslim minority. Myanmar officials strongly reject the term, raising concerns it could spark some potential violence if he does. He is scheduled to meet Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and the head of the country’s military. The Pope will then v

27 Nov, 2017

Mount Agung: Bali volcano alert raised to highest level

Fears of an imminent major eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung have increased and the evacuation zone around the volcano has been widened. The Indonesian authorities have raised the state of alert on the island to its highest level. The island’s airport has now closed, leaving many stranded in the tourist hotspot destination. Dark smoke has been seen billowing up to 3,400m (11,150ft) above the mountain’s summit. The National Board for Disaster Management said explosions were being heard 12km (7 m

27 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