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North Korea says it tested new solid-fuel ICBM – KCNA

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing a ballistic missile of intermediate range or longer, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, on 13th April, 2023.

Seoul, South Korea/Tokyo, Japan Reuters North Korea said on Friday it has tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-18 aimed at boosting the country’s nuclear counter-attack capability, state media reported. North Korea fired what appeared to be a new model ballistic missile on Thursday, South Korea said, triggering a scare in northern Japan where […]

FBI arrests 21-year-old National Guardsman for “criminal” US intelligence leaks

FBI agents arrest Jack Teixeira, an employee of the US Air Force National Guard, in connection with an investigation into the leaks online of classified US documents, outside a residence in this still image taken from video in North Dighton, Massachusetts, US, on 13th April, 2023.

Washington DC, US Reuters The FBI on Thursday arrested Jack Douglas Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the US Air National Guard, over the leaks online of classified documents that embarrassed Washington with allies around the world. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Teixeira “in connection with an investigation into alleged […]

An emotional Biden tells Irish parliament: “I’m home”

US President Joe Biden before a speech at the Dail Eireann, the lower house of the Irish Parliament, at Leinster House in Dublin, on 13th April, 2023.

Dublin, Ireland Reuters US President Joe Biden told the Irish parliament he was “home” in an emotional address on the second day of a nostalgic three-day tour celebrating his Irish heritage as he geared up for a planned 2024 re-election campaign. “I’m home…I only wish I could stay longer,” he said to applause and cheers […]

ASEAN “strongly condemns” deadly air strike in Myanmar

A bird flies near the Association of Southeast Asian Nations secretariat building, ahead of the ASEAN leaders' meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 23rd April, 2021.

Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters The chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said on Thursday the bloc “strongly condemns” a military air strike this week on a village in Myanmar, which is reported to have killed up to 100 people including civilians. Tuesday’s attack in the Sagaing area was the deadliest in a recent string […]

US military hospital chided for shift in Catholic pastoral care

A sign stands near an entrance to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday, 27th November, 2018, in Bethesda, Maryland.

United States AP The management of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has drawn criticism from a prominent archbishop – and some members of Congress – by choosing not to renew a contract for Franciscan priests to provide pastoral care, and instead hiring a secular firm to oversee provision of those services going forward. For […]

South Koreans fighting drug addiction find few rehab options

Choi Jin-mook, 48, chief director of Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Centre and visiting professor of Department of Addiction Rehabilitation and Social Welfare at Eulji University, listens to a recovering drug addict during a group counselling for drug addicts in Incheon, South Korea, on 1st April, 2023.

Seoul, South Korea Reuters Every Saturday a group of young South Koreans gathers in Incheon just west of Seoul to talk about their battles with drug abuse, seeking sympathy and support in often emotional exchanges.  The free midday therapy sessions are organised by Choi Jin-mook, who fought addiction for more than 20 years before becoming […]

Prosecutors probe Mexico immigration chief over fire that killed 40 migrants

A view shows migrants camp outside the immigration detention centre where several migrants died after a fire broke out at the center, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on 10th April, 2023.

Mexico City, Mexico Reuters The head of Mexico’s immigration agency, Francisco Garduno, is under investigation over a deadly fire last month at a migrant detention center in the northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday. A view shows migrants camp outside the immigration detention centre where several migrants […]

Philippines will pursue drugs war appeal with ICC, says top government lawyer

Protesters calling to stop extra-judicial killings march towards the presidential Malacanang Palace during a protest to commemorate President Rodrigo Duterte's final year in office, in Manila, Philippines, on 30th June, 2021.

Manila, The Philippines Reuters The Philippines will pursue its appeal questioning the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction and authority to investigate killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’, its top lawyer said on Wednesday. The remarks come after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, said last month he would cut off contact with the ICC after […]

Cyclone Freddy death toll jumps to over 1,000, Malawi President says

People cross a flooded area in Muloza on the border with Mozambique after the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Freddy, around 100 kilometres outside Blantyre, Malawi, on 18th March, 2023.

Blantyre, Malawi Reuters The death toll from Cyclone Freddy has risen sharply to more than 1,000 people, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera said on Wednesday, as the southern African nation continues to recover from one of the deadliest storms to hit the continent in the last two decades. People cross a flooded area in Muloza on […]