03/04/2025

THURSDAY | APR 3, 2025

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Aid groups request greater access to quake victims

US-Japan missile deal denounced SEOUL: North Korea has criticised a recent agreement by Japan and the United States on co-producing air-to-air missiles as aggravating regional security risks and another example of Washington’s push to militarise Japan, state media said yesterday. Cooperation by the two countries in munitions production clearly has military and aggressive intentions aimed at countries in the region, KCNA state news agency. The comments were attributed to an unnamed vice-general director of the North’s Defence Ministry and did not name specific countries. Advancing the deployment of such a weapon adds a“new element of strategic instability to the Asia-Pacific region“, the official said. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed the importance of Japan’s role in deterring China’s threat across the Taiwan Strait. Such a positive recognition of Japan by Hegseth was in contrast with his criticism against European allies and US President Donald Trump’s complaint that Tokyo has not done enough to support the presence of US military in the country. It is a priority for North Korea to counter growing instability by bolstering its military deterrence, the official said. – Reuters In December, the Philippines angered China when it said it planned to acquire the US mid-range Typhon missile system in a push to secure its maritime interests. Beijing warned such a purchase could spark a regional “arms race”. – AFP Potential sale of jets to Philippines approved WASHINGTON: The United States said on Tuesday it has approved the possible sale of US$5.58 billion (RM24.8 billion) in F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally amid rising tensions with China. The State Department said it was green-lighting a sale that includes 20 jets and related equipment to the Philippines. The sale would “improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in Southeast Asia,“ it said. It would also boost “the Philippine Air Force’s ability to conduct maritime domain awareness”. A State Department spokesperson said yesterday the deal would be final only after “a signed Letter of Offer and Acceptance” was received from the “purchasing partner”. Philippine Defence Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong told AFP he had“not received any official notice of such a decision”. China warned Manila against the purchase, saying the Philippines was “threatening” regional peace. “The Philippines’ defence and security cooperation with other countries should not target or harm the interests of a third party,“ said foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. Manila and Washington have deepened their defence cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office in 2022.

o US$12 million available in emergency funding for food, shelter, water, sanitation and mental health support: UN BANGKOK: Myanmar’s military government should free up movement by international aid workers to help survivors of the recent earthquake, even in areas controlled by groups opposing its rule, aid and human rights groups said. The military has struggled to run Myanmar since overthrowing the elected civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, reducing to tatters the economy and basic services. With thousands injured and infrastructure crippled following Friday’s 7.7-magnitude quake, regional authorities are struggling to cope and need support, the groups said. “The situation remains critical, with disrupted communications and road access hampering response efforts, particularly in Sagaing,” said the United Nations Office for Project Services. More than 28 million people live in the six regions affected by the quake, it added in a statement, saying it has US$12 million (RM53.42 million) in emergency funding for food, shelter, water, sanitation, mental health support and other services. China’s official Xinhua news agency said the death toll rose to 2,886 yesterday, with 4,639 injured, citing the military government. The rural parts of Sagaing are mostly under the control of armed resistance groups fighting the military government, said the International Crisis Group. “They will be among the most challenging for aid agencies to reach, given regime restrictions, a complex configuration of local administrations and control by armed resistance groups, and the persistent conflict.” It said even before the quake, information had been hard to gather from such areas because of a government blackout of internet and mobile phone networks as part of

Residents queueing for food and relief supplies after the earthquake in Amarapura. – REUTERSPIC

Chinese Red Cross had not informed the government or the embassy of its presence in the area. Australia has also announced AUD$6.5 million (RM18 million) in humanitarian support for Myanmar, supplied “through thoroughly vetted international and local partners”. In a statement yesterday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “We take proactive steps to ensure our assistance does not legitimise the military regime in Myanmar.” The military council has rejected requests from international journalists to cover the quake devastation, citing a lack of water, electricity and hotels. In neighbouring Thailand, the death toll from the quake rose to 22 yesterday, with hundreds of buildings damaged. Rescuers searched for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed skyscraper under construction in the capital Bangkok, where the death toll is 15, with 72 missing. The government is investigating the collapse and initial tests showed that some steel samples from the site were substandard. – Reuters

the conflict. The

military as misinformation accusations that it committed widespread atrocities as it fought against a multi-pronged rebellion that followed the coup. Human Rights Watch urged the military government to allow unfettered access for humanitarian aid and lift curbs impeding aid agencies, saying donors should channel aid through independent groups rather than only its authorities. “Myanmar’s military government cannot be trusted to respond to a disaster of this scale,” Human Rights Watch Asia director Bryony Lau said in a report. “Concerned governments and international agencies need to press the military government to allow full and immediate access to survivors, wherever they are.” Myanmar’s military government yesterday said its troops fired warning shots when a Chinese Red Cross aid convoy failed to heed instructions to stop while driving in a conflict zone. Its spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said the incident took place on Tuesday and the confusion and conflicts.“ Yoon was impeached by parliament on Dec 14 after being accused of violating his constitutional duty by declaring martial law in early December with no justifiable grounds. If the court rules to oust him, a presidential election must be held within 60 days. South Korean police have boost security in areas around the court, preparing to deploy all forces from midnight into the ruling day. National police force acting chief Lee Ho-young said the area around the court would be turned into a “vacuum state” to restrict access and cordon off pro and anti-Yoon rallies to prevent potential clashes. has dismissed

S. Korea leader urges calm acceptance of court ruling SEOUL: South Korea’s interim leader yesterday called on the nation to calmly accept the Constitutional Court decision on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as police ramped up security around the court ahead of the ruling tomorrow. Vowing to act sternly against violence, he said police would arrest those who vandalise facilities, threaten justices or assault police officers. Han has directed police to step up security for Constitutional Court justices.

Bracing for big rallies and a heavy police presence tomorrow, foreign embassies have issued alerts calling for extra caution. The US embassy in Seoul yesterday said it would cancel routine consular operations, such as visa interviews, this afternoon and all of tomorrow. The Chinese embassy has told its nationals to stay away from large political protests and not to participate in rallies. – Reuters

At a ministerial meeting on safety ahead of the ruling, acting President Han Duck-soo said he “strongly asked” politicians not to make comments that could incite violence. “The government will not tolerate illegal or violent acts. No matter what decision is made, we must accept the results calmly based on the rule of law. “If we can become one again with strength and wisdom, we can overcome this crisis of

Niger frees ministers of previous government NIAMEY: Niger’s junta said on Tuesday it has freed around 50 people, including ministers from the government it toppled in July 2023, in line with recommendations from the National Forum for Reconstruction in February. Those freed include former ministers, a journalist, a diplomat and soldiers accused of a coup bid in 2010. Former president Mohamed Bazoum is still in detention despite international calls for his release. The national conference held in February strengthened the ruling government by

authorising President Abdourahamane Tiani to remain in power in Niger for the next five years. “I wish to reiterate my commitment to work for forgiveness and reconciliation among Nigeriens,“ Tiani declared after his inauguration as president last week. – AFP