Standard Missile-6 Completes Key Developmental Test

WHITE SANDS, N.M.,– Raytheon Company’s  Standard Missile-6 has completed tests which validate the extended-range anti-air warfare missile’s airframe and autopilot performance.
By performing a series of preprogrammed maneuvers, the SM-6 missile was pushed to the limits of its performance, allowing the U.S. Navy to gather vital simulation validation data.
“The technology that was proven in this test [...]

Arms found on ship bound from North Korea to Iran

MELBOURNE — Weapons including rocket-propelled grenades were found on an Australian-owned ship seized by the United Arab Emirates while travelling from North Korea to Iran, Australia’s transport minister confirmed Sunday.
Anthony Albanese said Australia was investigating the vessel ANL Australia, which was reportedly stopped earlier this month carrying a shipment of North Korean arms. “I can [...]

Philippine Muslim extremist extradited to U.S. for kidnap

MANILA — An alleged member of a Philippine Muslim extremist group was extradited to the United States to face charges of kidnapping four US citizens, US embassy statements said on Saturday.
Madhatta Haipe, also known as Commander Haipe, was sent to the United States on Thursday to face charges of “hostage-taking” and other crimes. He could [...]

Fightings keep on in Myanmar’s Kokang region

YANGON,  – Fightings kept on in Myanmar’s Kokang ethnic region or Shan State Special Region-1 in the northeastern part of the country Saturday, with exchange of fire between the Kokang ethnic army and the government forces, said reports reaching here from the border area.

Refugees who fled Kokang in Myanmar are seen at a temporary refugee [...]

China urges U.S. to halt surveillance near its shores

BEIJING- China called on the United States to reduce and eventually halt air and sea military surveillance close to its shores after a series of territorial disputes this year.
The request was made during a special session on maritime safety between the two countries’ militaries on Wednesday and Thursday, Xinhua news agency said on Thursday, citing [...]

Iraq to fetch MiG-21 fighter planes from Serbia

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi military delegation has gone to Serbia to bring back 19 MiG fighter planes that Saddam Hussein’s regime sent for servicing 20 years ago, the defence ministry said on Saturday.
“General Othman al-Fredji, a defence ministry adviser, and Anwar Mohammed Amin, head of the air force, are in Serbia negotiating the return [...]

Yemeni army keeps pressure on Shiite rebels

SANAA — Yemeni army said on Saturday it has inflicted heavy losses on Shiite northern rebels as it continues a near three-week-long offensive on their strongholds in Saada region and surrounding areas.
Yemen’s air force has bombarded Zaidi rebels’ positions in al-Talh, in Saada, while troops destroyed other positions and arms caches in the district of [...]

Australian navy intercepts suspected asylum seekers

SYDNEY  - An Australian naval ship on Saturday intercepted a boatload of suspected asylum seekers, a government minister said, the latest in a wave of arrivals that has stoked fears of weak border security.

HMAS Hobart (Royal Australian Navy)
The boat was stopped near Ashmore Island off Australia’s northern coast, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor said in [...]

Iran has slowed production of enriched uranium : IAEA

VIENNA — Iran has slowed production of enriched uranium, which can be used to make a nuclear bomb, and agreed to tighter monitoring of its enrichment plant, the UN atomic watchdog said Friday.
Tehran has also granted UN inspectors access to a research reactor long out of bounds, according to a restricted report by the International [...]

Two Guantanamo inmates freed in Portugal

LISBON — Two Syrian detainees held at the US-run Guantanamo Bay prison were transferred to Portugal on Friday by US authorities where they were freed to live in the community, officials said. The two detainees “arrived August 28 in Portugal… and they were released,” the Portuguese interior ministry said in a statement on its website.
They [...]