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Jan 14, 2025 - World

by Shaun TANDONDonald Trump has not yet returned to the White House but is already thrusting himself to the front of international stage as he once again shatters diplomatic niceties.As only the second former president elected to a non-consecutive term, Trump is at least a known quantity to world leaders. Even his knack for unpredictable behavior is predictable.But Trump has quickly made clear that he is still capable of jaw-dropping statements, an approach that has rattled allies, while pleasing his supporters, who see this is as a way to force results.As president-elect, Trump has refused to rule out the idea of military force to seize Greenland -- an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark -- as well as the Panama Canal, the vital waterway which the United States handed over 25 years ago.Trump has also taunted NATO ally and long-friendly neighbor Canada, suggesting it should become a 51st state of the United States or face tariffs -- his favorite tool to pressure both friends and foes.Asked in a recent interview with ABC News if Trump was serious in his threats, Mike Waltz, his incoming national security advisor, said: "What he's very serious about is the threats that we're facing."Pointing to Chinese companies' influence in the Panama Canal and Russian exertion of power in the warming Arctic, Waltz said that Trump "is always going to leave all options on the table" in a way "unlike, frankly, his predecessor."- After 'America is Back' -Outgoing President Joe Biden had declared that "America is Back" when he beat Trump in 2020 -- and made no apologies for his stance in a valedictory address Monday at the State Department, insisting the United States was now stronger against its competitors.Secretary of State Antony Blinken, introducing Biden, said the president had tasked him with rebuilding US alliances."I remember what you told me," he said of Biden. "You said we don't know when this is going to make a difference" but that close relationships eventually are "going to be critical."Robert Benson, a senior policy analyst at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, said that Trump was correct "to be identifying the threat posed by a revanchist Russia and by an expansionist China.""But he's completely and totally off with the way that he's alienated our partners and our allies -- really pushing our European partners, in particular, to distance themselves from the United States," he said.- Up and running -Trump's style, to put it mildly, has differed with the customary presidential transitions in which the incoming administration waits until the January 20 inauguration to make policy moves.In a scene without parallel in recent US history, the emir of Qatar -- a key intermediary in brokering a ceasefire to end the bloody 15-month war in Gaza -- met together Monday both with Trump's Mideast envoy and the Biden White House's Middle East chief.But despite Trump's often unorthodox and bombastic style, there are also signs that in some areas he may take a more traditional approach than expected.Waltz, an Afghanistan veteran and congressman, and Senator Marco Rubio, his nominee for secretary of state, are both considered in the mainstream of the Republican Party.They favor a security-heavy approach, and Rubio is expected to put a greater focus on countering leftists in Latin America.Trump during his campaign had boasted that he could end the Ukraine war in a day, potentially by leveraging US aid to force Kyiv -- which has received billions of dollars in weapons under Biden -- into territorial concessions to Russia.But Trump appointed a respected retired lieutenant general, Keith Kellogg, as an envoy on Ukraine, and Waltz initially has spoken of strengthening Ukraine to give it a better negotiating position.Waltz said that Trump had already succeeded since his election of reviving prospects for diplomacy in a conflict that "had bogged down to a World War I-style meat grinder of people and resources with World War III consequences."On a recent visit of European lawmakers to Washington, Lia Quartapelle, the chair of Italy's foreign affairs committee, said she had expected, especially as she comes from a left-wing party, to expect a "very tense discussion" with Republicans on Ukraine."That's not what we found," she said. "We found a clear idea of what US interests are, but also an availability to discuss things, starting with the continuation of support for Ukraine. Which surprised us."© Agence France-Presse

Jan 14, 2025 - World

by Anna KORKMANNATO countries on the Baltic Sea met in Helsinki on Tuesday, looking to boost security following the suspected sabotage of undersea cables, widely blamed on Russia.They are expected to announce a NATO patrol mission monitoring activity "below, above, and on the sea surface", researcher Iro Sarkka of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs told AFP.Several undersea telecom and power cables have been severed in the Baltic Sea in recent months, with experts and politicians accusing Russia of orchestrating a hybrid war.The sabotage has been blamed on a "shadow fleet" of vessels -- often aging and operating under opaque ownership -- that carry Russian crude oil and petroleum products, embargoed since the invasion of Ukraine.Addressing the European Parliament, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed on Monday the need to make clear that "such hostile actions" and such efforts "will not go unanswered"."We will also strengthen NATO's military presence in the region, and of course, we will discuss the shadow fleet and what to do about it. So we are responding and will continue to ensure no country can exploit us, control our infrastructure or disrupt our societies," Rutte said, adding that he would be attending the meeting."It's clear that we have to be better prepared for different kind of threats and we can see many hybrid threats around us," executive vice-president of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen told reporters after arriving at the summit on Tuesday.Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said it was "totally unacceptable that these damages seem to have been increasing in numbers recently" but expressed caution in apportioning blame."We don't accuse anybody for anything so far. We don't do that easily without very firm proof," Kristersson said.- 'Deterrent' -Tuesday's meeting will focus on "strengthening of NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to the threat posed by Russia's shadow fleet", according to a statement from the office of Finnish President Alexander Stubb.Stubb is co-hosting the meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.NATO said in late December it would increase its presence in the region following the suspected sabotage of undersea cables between Finland and Estonia but it has yet to announce an official operation."How long the potential operation will last and what kind of mandate it will have I assume will be revealed (on Tuesday)," Sarkka said."The actions in recent months related to the Russian shadow fleet and sabotage has prompted NATO to develop its maritime situational awareness in the Baltic Sea region," she added.A comprehensive NATO operation would serve as a "deterrent and a strategic signal" that NATO is prepared to act in response to the recent activities, according to Sarkka.Last week, Finland said NATO would contribute two vessels to a monitoring mission in the Baltic Sea.The British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which included Nordic and Baltic states as well as the Netherlands, also said it would increase its surveillance.Sweden is sending up to three warships and a surveillance aircraft.- Slew of incidents -Tensions have mounted around the Baltic Sea since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.In September 2022, a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe, the cause of which has yet to be determined.In October 2023, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was shut down after it was damaged by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship.The most recent incident occurred on December 25, when the Estlink 2 electricity cable and four telecom cables linking Finland and Estonia were damaged.That came just weeks after two telecom cables in Swedish waters were severed on November 17-18.Suspicion over the Christmas Day incident has fallen on the Eagle S, a Cook Island-flagged oil tanker believed to be part of the "shadow fleet".Finnish police seized the Eagle S on December 28 as part of a criminal investigation.Finnish authorities last week deemed the ship unseaworthy following an inspection, barred it from sailing and have banned eight crew members from leaving the country while police carry out a probe.Investigators suspect the cables were damaged by the tanker's anchor being dragged over them.

Jan 14, 2025 - World

Thirty-six bodies brought to surface amid claims 109 are dead and between 400 and 800 people still alive and trappedThirty-six bodies have been brought out of an illegal goldmine in South Africa and 82 people have been taken out alive since Monday, after police blocked supplies of food, water and medicine to the workers underground in October in an attempt to force them out.On Thursday, a letter brought up to the surface claimed there were 109 dead bodies underground. A video circulated by the NGO Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) appeared to show more than 50 wrapped bodies laid out in a tunnel. Continue reading...

Jan 14, 2025 - World

by Hieun Shin and Claire LeeSouth Korea's Constitutional Court opened the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday over his failed martial law bid, but quickly adjourned the first hearing after the suspended leader didn't show up.Yoon's December 3 power grab plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades, after he directed soldiers to storm parliament in an unsuccessful attempt to stop lawmakers voting down his suspension of civilian rule.He was impeached soon after and suspended from duty, but has gone to ground in his residence since, refusing summonses from investigators probing him on insurrection charges and using his presidential security team to resist arrest.The trial's first of five hearings began at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) but lasted just minutes with Yoon not in attendance, the court's spokesperson told AFP.Although his failure to attend -- which his team have blamed on purported safety concerns -- forced a procedural adjournment, the hearings will continue without Yoon, with the next set for Thursday.Additional hearings are already scheduled for January 21, January 23 and February 4.The court's eight judges will decide mainly two issues: whether Yoon's martial law declaration was unconstitutional and whether it was illegal -- either of which could prove grounds to uphold his impeachment.Six of the eight judges must vote in favor of Yoon's impeachment for him to be removed from office.The National Assembly's legal team told reporters in front of the court before the trial began Tuesday that there were "overwhelming reasons for the immediate dismissal" of Yoon.The court has up to 180 days from December 14, when it received the case, to make its ruling.Former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye did not appear for their impeachment trials in 2004 and 2016-2017, respectively.Yoon's lawyers have argued the court must utilize the full 180 days -- specifically to examine what "led to the declaration of martial law".The attempt to place South Korea under military rule for the first time in more than four decades lasted just six hours."This impeachment case focuses solely on the martial law situation," lawyer Kim Nam-ju told AFP."Since most of the individuals involved have already been indicted and the facts have been somewhat established, it doesn't seem like it will take a long time."Lawmakers also impeached Yoon's stand-in last month, adding to the country's political instability, and the current acting president has appeared unwilling to wade into the standoff, instead urging all parties to negotiate a solution.- Arrest attempt -In a parallel criminal inquiry, a joint team of investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) -- which is probing Yoon over insurrection -- and police are preparing a fresh attempt to arrest the president.An earlier attempt failed after Yoon's presidential guards blocked access to investigators, while rival camps of protesters rallied outside his home.Yoon's chief of staff Chung Jin-suk said his office was "ready to consider all options for investigation or visits" to the sitting leader "at a third location".If the new warrant is executed successfully, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.If eventually convicted in that case, Yoon faces prison or even the death penalty.A CIO official told reporters they were "continuing preparations" for the second arrest effort.Police are also reportedly preparing 1,000 investigators for the fresh attempt.Yoon's guards have reinforced his Seoul compound with barbed wire installations and bus barricades, while a military unit patrols outside.But the defence ministry said Tuesday that the soldier unit would "focus solely on its primary mission of perimeter security in the vicinity of the official (presidential) residence and will not be mobilized during the execution of the warrant".Experts say much is riding on a successful arrest attempt for investigators and wider South Korean society."If (the CIO) fails to execute a second arrest warrant, it could face a significant crisis regarding its future," said Lee Jae-mook, a political science professor at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies."If this situation persists, we may witness an increase in social unrest."

Jan 14, 2025 - World

by Hieun SHIN / Claire LEENorth Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Tuesday, according to Seoul's military, in what experts said could be a message to US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.The launch came as Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya visited South Korea for a series of meetings with top officials, with the Asian neighbours seeking to boost bilateral ties before Trump returns to office next week."The South Korean military detected several short-range ballistic missiles fired into the East Sea," the military in Seoul said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.South Korean and US intelligence agencies had monitored Pyongyang's launch preparations, the military said, with Seoul maintaining "full readiness" and sharing information with Washington and Tokyo.Tuesday's launch took place around 9:30 am (0030 GMT) near North Korea's Ganggye area, with the missiles flying 250 kilometres (155 miles) before landing in the sea, according to the military.The United States Indo-Pacific Command condemned the test, calling on North Korea "to refrain from further unlawful and destabilizing acts".Seoul's acting president Choi Sang-mok also slammed the launch, saying it violated UN Security Council resolutions."Seoul will respond more strongly to North Korea's provocations based on its strong security posture and alliance with the US," he said.Experts said the latest launch could be intended as a message to the incoming US president."It may indicate an intention to put pressure ahead of the Trump administration's second term," said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.- Second test this month -Ahn Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher who runs the World Institute for North Korea Studies, told AFP the test launch "appears to be an intention to assert presence ahead of the Trump administration".He said it could also be aimed at "destabilising South Korea during Seoul's own period of turmoil". Suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial over his failed martial law bid began on Tuesday.Tuesday's launch was Pyongyang's second this month after it fired what it said was a new hypersonic missile system last week.The location of the test site was undisclosed but images released by North Korean state media KCNA showed leader Kim Jong Un observing last week's launch with his teenage daughter Ju Ae.KCNA cited the use of a "new compound of carbon fibre" in the missile's engine, which experts warned could allow Pyongyang to hit further targets with technology to which only the United States, Russia and China currently have access.Relations between the two Koreas have been at one of their lowest points in years, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles last year in violation of UN sanctions.In response to Pyongyang's increased capabilities, South Korea's state arms procurement agency said on Tuesday it has begun developing a new missile defence system "aiming to intercept North Korea's nuclear and missile threats at higher altitudes".The missile system will cost 567.7 billion won ($388 million) and is scheduled to be ready by 2028, Seoul's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement.- Pyongyang's ties with Moscow -Last week's alleged hypersonic missile launch came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting South Korea. Blinken said during that visit that Moscow was increasing cooperation with Pyongyang, adding they were working ever more closely on advanced space technology.Ahn said another reason for Tuesday's launch may be the testing of "missiles for export to Russia to be used in Ukraine".North Korea test-fired in late October what it said was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It then fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles days later.US and South Korean intelligence also believe that North Korea started in October to send thousands of troops to fight against Ukraine and has since suffered hundreds of casualties.However, neither North Korea nor Russia has officially confirmed that Pyongyang's forces are fighting for Moscow.© Agence France-Presse