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North Korea-weekly review-3

Yonhap News AgencyMay 23, 2013 01:00

*** NEWS IN BRIEF North Korea Warns of Dangerous Tensions on Korean Peninsula SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korea warned on May 16 that dangerous tensions are rising on the Korean Peninsula in May due to naval drills conducted by South Korea and the United States. In an article carried by Rodong Sinmun, an organ of the ruling Workers' Party of (North) Korea (WPK), the North claimed the convergence of substantial forces around waters surrounding the peninsula is a move to taunt its Navy and heighten the risk of confrontation.

Ecuador warns satellite could hit rocket remains

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 22:15

An Ecuadoran satellite launched last month could collide with the remains of a Russian rocket in the coming hours, the country's civilian space agency warned Wednesday. The "Pegaso" (Pegasus) nanosatellite, designed and built in Ecuador, set off aboard an unmanned rocket April 25 from the Jiuquand station in northern China. It is the country's first. "Alert: possible collision between NEE-01 Pegaso and Russian rocket remains," tweeted the country's civilian space agency, EXA.

Tennis: Serena out to tame French Open demons

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 21:02

If momentum counts for everything in tennis, nothing will stop Serena Williams from winning the French Open for just the second time in her career in Paris on June 8. At 31, the superstar of the women's game is on an unprecedented winning run going in to the consecration of the claycourt season at Roland Garros. Four straight tournament wins at Miami, Charleston, Madrid and Rome (the last three coming on clay) and 22 matches in all for the loss of just four sets represents the best unbeaten streak of her career.

Tennis: French Open men's penpix

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 21:00

Penpix of the six leading contenders for the men's singles title at the 2013 French Open which gets underway at Roland Garros on Sunday: NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB) World ranking: 1 Age: 26 Birthdate: May 22, 1987 Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco Height: 6'2" (188 cm) Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg) Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 2003 Coach: Marian Vajda Website: www.novakdjokovic.com Twitter: @DjokerNole Career singles titles: 37

U.S. military lawyers put more pressure on Guantanamo

Thomson ReutersMay 22, 2013 20:48

By Jane Sutton MIAMI (Reuters) - Military and civilian lawyers for prisoners at the Guantanamo naval base urged U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to improve conditions for detainees, putting more pressure on the Obama administration to make good its promise to close the camp. The plea from 18 lawyers representing "high-value" prisoners came before a speech by President Barack Obama on Thursday when he will address counterterrorism measures such as drone strikes and closing Guantanamo.

Republicans aim to take Keystone XL decision out of Obama's hands

The Canadian PressMay 22, 2013 17:00

WASHINGTON - The American political brawl over the approval of TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL pipeline shifted into overdrive on Wednesday as Republicans in the House of Representatives made yet another attempt to take the decision out of U.S. President Barack Obama's hands. Legislators voted 241-175 in favour of the Northern Route Approval Act, which would give Congress the power to greenlight the pipeline and nix the need for a presidential permit. The bill, however, faces a far less certain future in the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate.

Novelty sets containing small, powerful magnets recalled, pose danger to kids

The Canadian PressMay 22, 2013 14:15

TORONTO - Health Canada has issued a recall for a number of adult novelty products containing small, powerful magnets that can be swallowed or inhaled by children. BuckyBalls novelty sets contain a number of rare earth element magnets many times more powerful than traditional magnets. Some children have needed emergency surgery to remove swallowed magnets that can attract one another while moving through the intestines. The magnets can trap intestinal tissue between them and cause life-threatening blockages or tearing.

Over one million affected by boil-water advisory in Montreal

The Canadian PressMay 22, 2013 14:15

MONTREAL - Over one million Montrealers were affected by a boil-water advisory Wednesday after an apparent malfunction at Canada's second-biggest filtration plant. The incident resulted in brownish water gushing from fire hydrants and an unpleasant aroma wafting, at least temporarily, over parts of the city. The boil-water advisory applied to most of the island and even some neighbouring areas. Local officials described it as unprecedented in the recent history of the city.

Captain in Italy cruise ship crash to go on trial in July

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 12:46

The captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship will go on trial from July 9 for manslaughter over the January 2012 disaster in which 32 people lost their lives, an Italian judge ruled Wednesday. Francesco Schettino has also been accused of abandoning the giant vessel before all 4,229 people on board had been evacuated. Judge Pietro Morino dismissed a request for Schettino's acquittal on this charge, as well as a request for new evaluations. The documentation provided by the prosecution contains "more than enough" indications of guilt to justify a trial, Morino said.

Man killed by FBI links Tsarnaev to triple murder

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 12:45

A friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev implicated himself and the Boston bombing suspect in an unsolved triple homicide before FBI agents killed him in a violent altercation Wednesday, local media reported. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the man initiated a "violent confrontation" during questioning in Orlando, Florida and was killed, and that an FBI agent suffered "non-life threatening injuries."