Philippines vice president faces probe over assassination remarks against Marcos

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - The Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation summoned Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday after she claimed in an online press conference that she had instructed her security detail to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family if she were to be assassinated. President Marcos responded in a video message on Monday, stating "There were death threats" and "I will fight and not let such things happen," while Duterte l

November 27, 2024

Indian coast guard seizes record amount of methamphetamine in smuggling bust

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - A group attempting to smuggle the largest-ever amount of methamphetamine from Myanmar to India was apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The ICG discovered a suspicious fishing vessel while conducting an aerial patrol in the Andaman Sea early on Saturday. After the vessel entered Indian waters, the Coast Guard conducted an inspection. The vessel was carrying six people and about 5,500 kg of methamphetamine was found. ICG emphasized that this

November 27, 2024

Morocco considers new law on cryptocurrency

Abdellatif Jouahri speaks at Bank Al-Maghrib's board meeting on Sept. 24, 2024. Courtesy of Bank Al-Maghrib. SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - A proposed law regulating cryptocurrencies is currently being considered for approval in Morocco, according to Abdellatif Jouahri, the governor of the country's central bank, Bank Al-Maghrib, said on Tuesday. Cryptocurrencies have been prohibited in Morocco since 2017, but despite the ban, their use continues covertly as people bypass the restric

November 27, 2024

Japan's new rocket engine explodes in critical test

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - A rocket engine being developed for Japan's Epsilon S program exploded during a combustion test in Kagoshima Prefecture, marking the second such failure in 16 months, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The incident occurred at the Tanegashima Space Center when the second-stage engine, containing about 18 tons of solid fuel, experienced higher-than-expected combustion pressure 49 seconds into the test, JAXA officials said. No in

November 27, 2024

China extends visa-free stay for Australians to 30 days

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - China extended its visa-free policy for Australian passport holders from 15 to 30 days on Monday. The updated policy, which starts Saturday, will remain in effect until the end of next year. It covers visits for business, tourism, family gatherings, transit, and exchanges, provided each stay does not exceed 30 days. Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchang

November 27, 2024

India rejects Apple's request to withhold antitrust report

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - India's regulatory authority has rejected Apple's request to withhold a report investigating the company for alleged violations of antitrust laws in the Indian app market. According to news reports on Monday, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) denied Apple's request to withhold a report investigating alleged violations of antitrust competition laws. With the rejection, authorities have decided to continue the legal proceedings related

November 26, 2024

Japan, Italy sign military cooperation pact

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Japan and Italy signed an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in Rome, establishing a framework for mutual military supply and service support between the two nations, the Japanese foreign ministry said. The agreement, signed on Monday by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, enables the exchange of ammunition, fuel, and maintenance services during joint military exercises, UN peacekeeping operati

November 26, 2024

Tourist boat sinks off Red Sea coast, 16 missing

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - A tourist boat sank near Egypt's Red Sea coast, leaving 16 people, including 12 foreign nationals, missing, according to local authorities. The vessel, carrying 44 individuals — 31 tourists of various nationalities and 13 crew members—capsized during a diving trip on Monday near Marsa Alam. It is reported that 28 people were rescued with minor injuries, such as bruises, none requiring hospitalization. Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi suggeste

November 26, 2024

China unveils plans to combat food waste

November 26 (AJP) - China has revealed a set of plans to tackle food loss and waste, aiming to establish a comprehensive system by 2027. The plans, released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on Monday, called for improvements in data collection, standards, and monitoring of food waste, according to the country's state-run Xinhua News Agency. Food loss during production, storage, transport, and processing will be reduced to below internati

November 26, 2024

Landslides, floods kill 16, leave 6 missing in Indonesia's Sumatra

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - At least 16 people have died and six others remain missing after heavy rains triggered landslides and floods across Indonesia's Sumatra island, according to local media reports, Monday. In North Sumatra's Karo region, six people died and four others, including two children, went missing after landslides buried several hillside villages, while in Padang Lawas area, a family of four, including two children, died when their house collapsed. Addition

November 26, 2024