IT happens: Facebook sorry for Xi Jinping's name gaffe

NAYPYIDAW (AFP) -- Facebook apologised Saturday for a distasteful mistranslation of Chinese President Xi Jinping's name from Burmese language posts during his much-touted visit to Myanmar.His two-day visit to Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw was the first made by a Chinese leader in almost two decades. But the historic moment was dimmed by the automatic translation feature on Myanmar's Facebook page -- which rendered Xi Jinping's name from Burmese into English as "Mr Shithole". The err

Jan. 19, 2020

[Graphic News] Louvre sees fewer visitors after steps to limit crowds

　The hordes flocking to the Louvre in Paris fell to 9.6 million in 2019 as the museum tried to limit overcrowding, its director said.　After numbers rocketed by a quarter the previous year to a record 10.2 million, the most visited museum in the world said, it set out to actively discourage tourists in the peak summer months.　The Louvre gets far more visitors than any other museum in the world, including the National Museum of China in Beijing, which attracted 8.6 million people in 2018; and New

Jan. 16, 2020

US, China sign 'momentous' trade deal

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- After nearly two years of conflict between the world's top two economic powers, the United States and China signed a trade truce on Wednesday, letting businesses around the globe breathe a sigh of relief.The deal is a boon to US President Donald Trump, who faces an impeachment trial and a tough reelection fight later this year. Trump called the agreement "momentous."But tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars in goods remain in place -- on two-thirds of the over

Jan. 16, 2020

US Treasury removes currency manipulator label on China

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The United States on Monday removed the currency manipulator label it imposed on China last summer, in a sign of easing tensions between the two economic powers after nearly two years of conflict.Just two days before President Donald Trump is set to sign a "phase one" trade agreement with China, the US Treasury said in its semi-annual report to Congress that the yuan has strengthened and Beijing is no longer considered a currency manipulator.Although Treasury refrai

Jan. 14, 2020

Trump warns Iran not to kill protesters, door still open to talks

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- US President Donald Trump warned Iran Sunday against killing protesters who have risen up over the regime's downing of a civilian airliner as his defense secretary left the door open to talks with Tehran without preconditions.Trump's salvo came as Iran's Islamic regime faced a challenge from angry street protests, having come to the brink of war with the US after a series of tit-for-tat confrontations."To the leaders of Iran -- DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS," Trump tw

Jan. 13, 2020

Iran agrees de-escalation 'only solution' to solve crisis with US

TEHRAN (AFP) -- Iran signalled Sunday it favours a de-escalation after 10 days of heightened tensions with the United States during which both sides fired missiles and Tehran accidentally shot down a passenger aircraft.Security was stepped up in Iran's capital after a vigil the previous night for those killed in the air disaster turned into an angry protest and police temporarily arrested the British ambassador for being there.US President Donald Trump warned Iran against harming demonstrators a

Jan. 13, 2020

Ash pours from Philippine volcano, halting flights

MANILA (AFP) -- The Philippines was on alert Monday for the "explosive eruption" of a volcano south of Manila, which officials said could be imminent after a massive column of ash forced a halt to flights at the capital's main airport.  Taal volcano, a popular tourist attraction set in the centre of a picturesque lake, spewed ash, rumbled with earthquakes and exploded with lightning above its crest.Thousands of people living nearby were evacuated from their homes, but other locals

Jan. 13, 2020

Taiwan leader meets top US official after her election win

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Fresh from a landslide reelection victory, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met Sunday with the de facto US ambassador to Taipei, as China warned that countries should stick with recognizing communist-ruled Beijing as the rightful government of ''One China,'' including Taiwan. William Brent Christensen, a US diplomat who is director of the American Institute in Taiwan, congratulated Tsai on her victory and she thanked him for his support. ''The Taiwan-US partnership

Jan. 12, 2020

[Graphic News] Bushfires flare as Australia heat wave sets in

　Australia is experiencing an unprecedented, drought-fueled bushfire crisis that has burnt swathes of land across the vast continent. 　The catastrophic bushfires have killed at least 26 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and scorched some 8 million hectares -- an area the size of the island of Ireland.　Scientists say the drought-fueled blazes are being worsened by climate change, which is increasing the length and intensity of Australia’s fire season. (AFP)

Jan. 12, 2020

Iran says 'unintentionally' shot down Ukraine passenger jet

TEHRAN (AFP) -- Iran said Saturday it "unintentionally" shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing all 176 people aboard, in an abrupt about-turn after initially denying Western claims it was struck by a missile.President Hassan Rouhani said a military probe into the tragedy had found "missiles fired due to human error" brought down the Boeing 737, calling it an "unforgivable mistake".At a student protest to pay tribute to the crash victims on Saturday, Iranian au

Jan. 12, 2020

Taiwan's Tsai wins landslide in stinging result for China

TAIPEI (AFP) -- Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide victory on Saturday as voters delivered a stunning rebuke of Beijing's campaign to isolate the self-ruled island and handed its first female leader a second term.Tsai, 63, was greeted by thousands of jubilant flag-waving supporters outside her party headquarters, hailing a result which looks set to infuriate China."Today we have defended our democracy and freedom, tomorrow let us stand united to overcome all challenges and diff

Jan. 12, 2020

Tehran challenges suggestion Iran missile downed Ukraine jet

TEHRAN, Jan  9, 2020 (AFP) - Iran, alluding to "doubtful scenarios", on Thursday challenged international suggestions that the Ukrainian airliner that crashed outside Tehran this week was mistakenly downed by an Iranian missile.The Iranian government, in a statement, urged Canada to share its information after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said "multiple" intelligence sources indicate that Iran shot down the Boeing airliner after it took off from Tehran on Wednesday, kil

Jan. 10, 2020

[Graphic News] US troops stationed across the Middle East

　Iran fired missiles Wednesday at Iraqi bases housing the US military, officials in Washington and Tehran said, in the first act of the Islamic Republic’s promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general.　Across the Middle East, these threats have put on high alert the bases, ports and other installations where US troops are based or pass through.　The US has tens of thousands of military personnel at bases and aboard ships across the Middle East, as well as arrangements with va

Jan. 9, 2020

Defiant car magnate Ghosn hits back against Japanese 'plot'

BEIRUT (AFP) -- Fugitive auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn on Wednesday accused Nissan and Japanese prosecutors of plotting against him as he staged an impassioned defence at his first public appearance since fleeing the country.In a combative news conference in Beirut, the former Renault-Nissan boss -- one of the world's most high-profile corporate executives -- slammed the financial misconduct charges he faced in Japan as "baseless".Late on Wednesday, a Lebanese prosecutor summoned Ghosn for

Jan. 9, 2020

Pentagon chief: US has restored 'level of deterrence' on Iran

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday that the United States has reestablished some deterrence toward Iran in the wake of the January 3 drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad."I think at this point with the strikes we took against KH in late December and then our actions with regard to Soleimani, I believe that we've restored a level of deterrence with them," he told reporters, referring to Kataeb Hezbollah, an armed Iraqi group

Jan. 9, 2020

Trump pulls back from war with Iran

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- President Donald Trump pulled back from the brink of war with Iran on Wednesday, saying that Tehran appeared to be "standing down" after firing missiles -- without causing casualties -- at US troops based in Iraq.In a televised address to the nation from the White House, Trump emphasized there were "no Americans harmed" in the ballistic missile salvo aimed at two bases.While he promised to immediately impose "punishing" new economic sanctions on

Jan. 9, 2020

Iranian state TV says 80 "American terrorists" killed in Iran missile strikes

DUBAI (Reuters) -- Iranian state television said on Wednesday that at least 80 "American terrorists" were killed in attacks involving 15 missiles Tehran launched on US targets in Iraq, adding that none of the missiles were intercepted.State TV, citing a senior Revolutionary Guards source, also said Iran had 100 other targets in the region in its sights if Washington took any retaliatory measures.  It also said US helicopters and military equipment were "severely damaged"

Jan. 8, 2020

Iran state TV says Ukrainian airplane crashes near Tehran

TEHRAN (AP) -- A Ukrainian airplane carrying at least 170 people crashed Wednesday near an airport in the capital, Tehran, state TV reported. There was no immediate word on casualties.The plane had taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport, the report said. The crash is suspected to have been caused by mechanical issues, it added, without elaborating. An investigation team was at the site of the crash in southwestern outskirts of Tehran, civil aviation spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh said. &q

Jan. 8, 2020

Oil prices spike over 4.5% after Iran attacks

TOKYO (AFP) - Oil prices spiked Wednesday morning, rising over 4.5 percent at one point after Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles against two airbases in Iraq used by US and coalition forces. The benchmark WTI jumped as much as 4.53 percent to $65.54 a barrel before settling down slightly after Iran unleashed its first response to the US assassination of military commander Qasem Soleimani. (AFP)

Jan. 8, 2020

US insists troops staying in Iraq, won't bomb Iran cultural sites

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- President Donald Trump sought Tuesday to end confusion over the future of American troops in Iraq, saying they should stay, despite fury there over the US killing of a top Iranian general in Baghdad."At some point we want to get out, but this isn't the right point," Trump told reporters at the White House.Regardless of US efforts to clarify the troops' future following an Iraqi parliament call for their exit, regional tension and uncertainty increased.In the Iranian

Jan. 8, 2020