Category: Asia & Pacific

Asia & Pacific, Crime, North Korea, Politics

Otto Wambier, American Student Detained in North Korea, Has Died.

Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was released by North Korea in a coma last week died Monday at his family’s home in Cincinnati. Warmbier was a 21-year-old University of Virginia student when he visited North Korea with a tour group in late 2015. When the group was leaving the country in early 2016, Warmbier was detained at the Pyongyang airport and charged with engaging crimes … Continue reading Otto Wambier, American Student Detained in North Korea, Has Died.

Alexander MassaadLeave a comment
Asia & Pacific, North Korea, Politics, White House

Questions Following Otto Wambier Return, Tucker Interview

  Otto Warmbier returned to the United States following an 18 month-long stint in North Korea after being sentenced to 15 years of ‘hard labor.’ The University of Virginia student was delivered to his parents in Cincinnati, Ohio in a comatose state. Doctors noted that he has suffered considerable brain damage but is now in stable condition. Tucker Carlson sat down with Warmbier’s father, Fred, … Continue reading Questions Following Otto Wambier Return, Tucker Interview

Alexander MassaadLeave a comment
Asia & Pacific, National

American sentenced to 15 yrs of hard-labor in N. Korea

 PYONGYANG, March 16, 2016 – A University of Virginia student has been sentenced by North Korea’s Supreme Court to more than 15 years of hard labor. Otto Warmbier, a 21-year-old U.Va. undergraduate hailing from Wyoming, Ohio, was arrested in January for allegedly “perpetrating a hostile act” against the regime. Warmbier was convicted and sentenced Wednesday in a one-hour trial. Prior to the court date, he made a … Continue reading American sentenced to 15 yrs of hard-labor in N. Korea

Lawrence LeaseLeave a comment
Asia & Pacific

North Korea provokes world by launching long-range missile

South Korean defense officials announced that North Korea launched a long-range missile on Sunday, receiving immediate condemnation by the United States. North Korea had said it planned to put a satellite into orbit, the launch was viewed by other nations, such as Japan and South Korea, as a front for a ballistic missile test, especially coming on the heels of North Korea’s hydrogen bomb test … Continue reading North Korea provokes world by launching long-range missile

Lawrence LeaseLeave a comment
Asia & Pacific, White House

White House skeptical of North Korea’s hydrogen bomb claims.

White House officials shared skepticism of North Korea’s recent claims to have successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb. Early Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said intelligence agencies analysis does not match up with what North Korea claims was a successful hydrogen bomb test. Earnest confirmed that seismic activity was consistent with some kind of atomic detonation. Independent analysts around the world had expressed “significant … Continue reading White House skeptical of North Korea’s hydrogen bomb claims.

Lawrence LeaseLeave a comment
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777
Asia & Pacific

Debris found at Reunion Island confirmed to be from MH370

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on Wednesday that the recently recovered piece of plane wreckage does in fact belong to missing Malaysian Airlines MH370. The airplane fragment is the first definitive physical clue to one of the greatest mysteries in the history of aviation. The fragment — a 6-foot-long, barnacle-encrusted wing flap — was discovered on July 29 by a crew cleaning the beach on … Continue reading Debris found at Reunion Island confirmed to be from MH370

Lawrence LeaseLeave a comment
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777
Asia & Pacific

Airplane wreckage found possibly linked to missing Malaysian airlines flight

International investigators launched an air, land, and sea search near an island in the Indian Ocean on Thursday after discovering airplane debris that has become a “major lead” in the hunt for the missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. Malaysia’s deputy transport minister on Thursday said it is “almost certain” that aircraft debris found off the coast of the Indian Ocean island of Reunion came from … Continue reading Airplane wreckage found possibly linked to missing Malaysian airlines flight

Lawrence LeaseLeave a comment
Asia & Pacific

South Korean soldier convicted for premeditated murder.

A South Korean soldier has been convicted of murder and sentenced to death on Tuesday for a shooting against his fellow soldiers. The court ruled that the Army sergeant murdered five comrades and injured seven using his rifle and a grenade. The seargent just finished watch duty near the DMZ. The court located 50 miles east of Seoul said that Sgt. Lim committed premeditated murder … Continue reading South Korean soldier convicted for premeditated murder.

Lawrence LeaseLeave a comment
Asia & Pacific

U.S. set to join in the hunt for missing AirAsia airliner

Early Monday, Indonesian government officials expanded the search for a missing jetliner with 162 passengers onboard. Indonesia has officially requested America’s help in searching for the missing AirAsia flight, which disappeared on the way to Singapore, Sunday. The State department received a request Monday to help locate the plane– carrying 162 people– and passed it onto the Defense Department. The U.S. Defense Department is now … Continue reading U.S. set to join in the hunt for missing AirAsia airliner

Lawrence LeaseLeave a comment
Asia & Pacific, National Security

U.S. claims North Korea responsible for Sony cyber-attack

Early Wednesday, federal law enforcement officials reported that North Korea was behind the cyber-attack on Sony Pictures. Formal announcement should come sometime Thursday. North Korean regime’s tight control of the Internet in the reclusive country, U.S. officials believe the hack was ordered directly by the country’s leadership. Early Wednesday, Sony Pictures pulled the movie, which depicts the assassination of North Korea’s leader, after receiving a … Continue reading U.S. claims North Korea responsible for Sony cyber-attack

Lawrence LeaseLeave a comment