The head of South Korea's flag carrier Korean Air -- whose family have been embroiled in multiple scandals including one involving a "nut rage" tantrum -- lost his board seat after shareholders voted against extending his term as director, the airline said Wednesday.
Cho Yang-ho, who is currently on trial for corruption, failed to secure a required two-thirds majority, becoming the first controlling shareholder of a South Korean conglomerate to be forced off the board.
The super-wealthy owners of chaebols -- the sprawling conglomerates that dominate the world's 11th-largest economy -- are no strangers to controversy, but a string of high-profile scandals have vaulted the Cho family to notoriety in South Korea, even sparking protests by their employees.
The 70-year-old tycoon is the chairman of the Hanjin Group, which used to own the now-bankrupt Hanjin Shipping line.
Cho controls around 30 per cent of Korean Air through its parent company Hanjin Kal.
But the National Pension Service, .

Scandal-hit Korean Air chief forced off board by shareholders

PTI Automatic

A shadowy group committed to overthrowing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed responsibility Wednesday for a raid on the reclusive nation's embassy in Madrid last month, saying it shared "information of enormous potential value" with the FBI.
The incident had been shrouded in mystery, but a dissident organisation known as the Cheollima Civil Defense (CCD) said Wednesday it had orchestrated the raid to end illicit activities rampant in North Korea's foreign missions.
The claim comes after a Spanish court named Adrian Hong Chang, of Mexican nationality, as being the leader of the group -- the first official account of the incident, which came days before the summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump in Hanoi.
Previous media reports said a group of men burst into the diplomatic mission and roughed up employees before making off with documents and computers.
According to investigating judge Jose de la Mata, two of the assailants took the embassy's commercial attache to an ...

Dissident group claims responsibility for raid on N. Korea's Madrid embassy

About 500 people were evacuated Wednesday after a fire at a luxury hotel in downtown Singapore but there were no injuries, emergency services officials said.
Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the Grand Hyatt Hotel near the Orchard Road shopping district, but the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the fire was quickly put out.
The blaze involved a kitchen stove and an exhaust duct in a restaurant on the second floor, the SCDF said, adding it was extinguished by water sprinklers before firefighters arrived.
"There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation," it said.
"The smoke was really terrible ... it got into my throat. I think it was quite thick," Nadiah Yayoh, 40, who works at a boutique in the hotel, told AFP.
"Usually we have fire drills and normal evacuations, as well as fire practice ... This is a lesson learnt not to take it lightly."
An AFP reporter on the scene said guests were still checking in around two hours ..

500 evacuated as fire hits hotel in Singapore, no injuries

Mexico made it two wins in two matches under coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino Tuesday with a 4-2 victory over Paraguay in a friendly international at Levi's Stadium.
Jonathan dos Santos' long wait for a first international goal ended as he opened the scoring in the sixth minute of his 40th appearance for Mexico.
A Gustavo Gomez own goal in the ninth and Javier Hernandez's strike in the 24th extended Mexico's lead, and Luis Montes added a fourth in injury time -- after Paraguay had second-half goals from Hernan Perez and Derlis Gonzalez.
The victory followed a 3-1 win over South American champions Chile in a friendly last week -- an encouraging start for Argentina's Martino, who was presented as manager in January saying he was taking on the quest to end Mexico's "quarter-finals curse" that has dogged the team for the past seven World Cups and will do all he can to steer them to the long-sought fifth match in Qatar in 2022.
In contrast, Argentinian Eduardo Berizzo, named to coach Paraguay .

Martino's Mexico down Paraguay 4-2 in friendly

British MPs will on Wednesday hold votes on various Brexit options even as Prime Minister Theresa May comes under pressure to announce a departure plan to get support for her unpopular divorce deal.
Three years after a referendum in which Britain voted to leave the European Union, the country is gripped by painful uncertainty over how -- or even whether -- it should put an end to its 46-year membership.
May's deal negotiated with Brussels has already been voted down overwhelmingly by parliament twice but the government is widely expected to present it for a third time on Thursday to ensure an orderly Brexit.
EU leaders said Britain could leave the EU on May 22 if the deal is adopted this week, or face a potential no-deal Brexit as early as April 12.
In a bid to find Brexit alternatives, lawmakers took the unprecedented step on Monday of seizing control of Wednesday's parliamentary business.
MPs will hold a series of "indicative votes" -- indicating their preferences on a piece of ...

British MPs to vote on Brexit options

With the web of US sanctions tightening, Iran faces a host of challenges as it looks to an isolated port in the country's far southeast to maintain the flow of goods.
The port in Chabahar, only about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the Pakistan border and located on the Indian Ocean, is Iran's largest outside the Gulf.
It is also the only Iranian port with exemptions from unilateral economic sanctions reimposed by the United States in 2018.
That is due mainly to the pivotal role of the port, and a planned railway line, in breaking landlocked Afghanistan's dependence on Pakistan for trade with the world, especially India.
Afghan trade as well as plans for a trading route by rail between central Asia and the Indian Ocean called the North-South Corridor are the main reasons the Islamic republic has invested one billion dollars in Chabahar's Shahid Beheshti port, official sources say.
"We will keep on developing this port... our rail network, road network and airport are all being ...

Iran looks to remote port to beat US sanctions

A New York county hit by a measles outbreak declared a state of emergency Tuesday and banned non-vaccinated minors from public places in a bid to prevent the once-eliminated disease from spreading.
The measure, which defines a public place as anywhere "more than 10 persons are intended to congregate" -- including public transport -- was announced by officials in Rockland County, 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of New York City.
Due to come into effect at midnight Wednesday for 30 days, it appears to be the most radical step by US officials following outbreaks in several regions blamed on an anti-vaccination movement.
"We must do everything in our power to end this outbreak and protect the health of those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and that of children too young to be vaccinated," said county executive Ed Day.
Day also criticized the "resistance" of some locals to health inspectors.
"They've been told 'we're not discussing this, do not come back,' when visiting the ...

US county declares state of emergency amid measles outbreak

- Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific announced Wednesday that it will buy budget airline HK Express for USD 628.15 million, as it moves to counter competition from the increasing number of low-cost carriers in the region.
The HK USD 4.93 billion acquisition leaves Cathay Pacific in control of three of the four airlines in Hong Kong, adding to its namesake carrier and regional subsidiary Cathay Dragon.
Cathay will pay HK USD 2.25 billion in cash for HK Express, and issued HK USD 2.68 billion promissory loan notes, the company said in a filing.
The deal is expected to complete by December 2019, according to the filing. The carrier said it will continue to operate HK Express as a "standalone airline using the low-cost carrier business model".
"The Transaction is expected to generate synergies as the businesses and business models of Cathay Pacific and HKE are largely complementary," Cathay said in the filing.
The carrier also said the purchase is a "attractive and practical way" to ...

Cathay Pacific to buy budget airline HK Express for USD 628 million

Australian police on Wednesday said they had apprehended a British suspected drug offender, who tried to flee to Papua New Guinea on a jet ski.
Border police said they received a tip-off that "a man, possibly armed with a crossbow and carrying additional fuel and supplies, had been seen launching the jet ski" from a peninsula in the far northeast of the country.
The suspect -- "a 57-year-old UK national who was subject to an outstanding warrant for drug-related charges in Western Australia" -- was caught on mudflats off an island just kilometres (miles) from the Papua New Guinea mainland.
He had travelled roughly 150 kilometres (90 miles) across the Torres Strait.
The man is currently awaiting extradition to West Australia. His jet ski was towed.
"We have the ability to detect a range of border threats, including suspicious movements through the region," the Australian Border Force's Jo Crooks said.
"Anyone who thinks they can either enter or leave Australia through the region without 

Brit fugitive tries to flee Australia on jet ski

Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a record seventh Miami Open ATP title ended in dramatic fashion on Tuesday as Roberto Bautista Agut superbly recovered from a first set destruction to win 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 and book a place in the quarter-finals.
The 30 year-old Spaniard may have beaten Djokovic on the way to winning the title in Doha earlier this year but 15-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic started like a train in this last 16 encounter before being amazingly reined back in.
After just 25 minutes, Djokovic was 5-0 ahead and on cruise control, Bautista Agut severely struggling to keep the Serbian at bay.
A short rain delay late in the second set allowed Bautista Agut to regroup, however.
He returned a completely different player and at the end of an absorbing two hours and 29 minutes, it was the number 22 seed who will now meet defending champion John Isner for a place in the semi-finals.
"Of course this is very special for me," said Bautista Agut. "I just tried to play aggressive."
- Sluggish 

Bautista Agut stuns top-ranked Djokovic in Miami

England star Raheem Sterling has called on the Premier League to show the way to other European countries in the fight against racism.
Sterling and his England team-mates were subjected to racist chants during Sunday's 5-1 victory in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica.
Sterling reacted by pulling his ears in front of the home fans when he scored England's fifth goal, with a missile thrown in his direction in retaliation.
Speaking after the game, the Manchester City winger demanded a stadium ban for Montenegro as punishment, while the Football Association released a statement on Tuesday which condemned "abhorrent racist chanting" during the game at the Gradski Stadion.
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the hosts, which includes a charge of racist behaviour - with a partial stadium ban a possible punishment.
But Sterling also faced alleged racist abuse while playing for City at Chelsea in December, the week after a Tottenham fan threw a banana skin at ..

Sterling calls for Premier League to clamp down on racism

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's success at Manchester United is partly due to the work of his predecessor Jose Mourinho, according to former Old Trafford chief Louis Van Gaal.
Solskjaer has made a remarkable impact since arriving as United's interim boss in December following Mourinho's sacking.
The Norwegian has won 10 times in 13 Premier League games to put United back in the hunt for a top four finish, while leading them to the Champions League quarter-finals after a stunning victory over Paris Saint Germain.
Van Gaal, who spent two seasons at United before being replaced by Mourinho in 2016, insists the Portuguese coach's tactics have laid the foundations for Solskjaer to build on.
The 67-year-old Dutchman also suggested United played more exciting football in his time at the helm than they do now.
Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis.
"The way ..

Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal

Alvaro Morata's remarkable revival continued on Tuesday as he scored twice for Spain in a 2-0 victory over Malta.
After edging past Norway 2-1 on Saturday, Morata's double at the Ta'Qali stadium gives Spain two wins from two in Euro 2020 qualifying and the perfect start in Group F.
Luis Enrique's side again showed the inability to convert possession into chances that clouded their early exit from last year's World Cup.
But Morata's brace offers room for encouragement, the striker extending his return to form since he joined Atletico Madrid on loan from Chelsea in January.
He has five goals in six games, his best return since September 2017, and has strengthened his case for a position that has proved so troublesome for Spain in recent years.
"The boss knows how happy I am to be here and I am grateful to him," Morata said.
"We want to qualify as soon as possible for the Euros so it was important to win today."
Malta lie 182nd in FIFA's world rankings, between Liechtenstein and Macau. ..

Morata double gives Spain victory over Malta

Midfielder Christian Pulisic scored early but limped off with a quadriceps injury Tuesday as the United States remained unbeaten under coach Gregg Berhalter with a 1-1 friendly draw against Chile.
Pulisic became the youngest American to score 10 international goals when he opened the scoring at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston in the fourth minute.
Pulisic sprinted onto a neatly played ball from Gyasi Zardes, racing into the penalty area and beating goalkeeper Gabriel Arias.
At 20 years, 189 days old Pulisic broke the US mark to double-digit international goals set by Jozy Altidore, who was 20 years, 337 days old when he scored his 10th US goal in October 2010.
The lead lasted just five minutes as Oscar Opazo knotted the score at 1-1 with a left-footed blast in the ninth, completing a sequence that saw US defenders Omar Gonzalez and Matt Miazga beaten.
Berhalter had enjoyed a perfect start since taking over as the fulltime coach in December last year, the most recent win a victory over 

USA draw 1-1 with Chile, remain unbeaten under Berhalter

Fabio Quagliarella attributed his new-found serenity after years of a stalker nightmare to his stunning form as the 36-year-old on Tuesday became the oldest player to score for Italy.
The player from Castellammare di Stabia near Naples converted two penalties in a crushing 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win by the Azzurri over Liechtenstein in Parma.
Italy top Group J with six points after also beating Finland 2-0 in Udine on Saturday with goals from youngsters Nicolo Barella, 22, and 19-year-old Moise Kean.  Bosnia threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Greece and both are behind Italy on four points followed by Finland on three.
Serie A top scorer Quagliarella has earned his recall to Roberto Mancini's new-look Italy thanks to his 21 goals in 28 league games, two more than Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has managed for Juventus.
And he marked his return for the Azzurri after nearly nine years by converting a penalty on 35 minutes, adding a second, also from the spot, just before ..

Quagliarella returns to make Italy history after stalker nightmare

Substitute Gabriel Jesus scored twice in the closing minutes to help Brazil come from behind to beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in a friendly in Prague on Tuesday.
The Manchester City striker first slammed home a cross from David Neres who had sprinted down the left flank following a superb pass from Danilo on 83 minutes.
And then in the 90th minute, Jesus scored on a rebound of his own shot after a series of clinical passes inside the Czech box.
The Czechs took the lead in the 37th minute when midfielder David Pavelka found himself in possession behind a leaky Brazil defence and slammed the ball in past Alisson.
Roberto Firmino equalised four minutes after half-time, picking up a pass aimed at Czech sweeper Marek Suchy inside the box and firing home.
"I'm super happy with Gabriel Jesus, I'm glad I gave him a chance in the second half," said Brazil coach Tite, praising the 72nd-minute substitute for his offensive drive.
The Selecao dominated the opening minutes, but the Czechs soon ...

Gabriel Jesus brace hands Brazil 3-1 win in Czech Republic

Christchurch police launched an urgent investigation Wednesday to find out whether a man who died after an early morning stand-off with armed officers had links to mosque attacks which killed 50 people.
Police raided the 54-year-old man's home on Tuesday night and found a cache of firearms after receiving a tip-off from the public about "suspicious behaviour".
They stopped the man in his car in the Richmond Park area, just outside central Christchurch, and began negotiations that lasted for about three hours.
Police eventually approached the vehicle and found the man critically injured with a stab wound that soon claimed his life. They did not explain how he got the wound.
They said there were no firearms in the vehicle, which was also cleared by explosives experts.
"A high priority investigation is underway to determine whether or not the deceased man posed a threat to the community," police said.
With the South Island city on alert after New Zealand's gun massacre less than two ...

NZ police probe mosque attack links after man dies in stand-off

Syria asked the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday to hold an urgent meeting on the US decision to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory.
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Monday in which the United States recognized Israel's annexation of the strategic plateau, despite UN resolutions that call for Israel's withdrawal from the Golan.
In a letter seen by AFP, the Syrian mission to the United Nations asked the council presidency, held by France, to schedule an urgent meeting to "discuss the situation in the occupied Syrian Golan and the recent flagrant violation of the relevant Security Council's resolution by a permanent member-state."
The French presidency did not immediately schedule the meeting and diplomats said there would be a discussion at the council about the request.
On Friday, Syria wrote a separate letter urging the council to uphold resolutions demanding that Israel withdraw from the Golan.
The council is scheduled to discuss the latest crisis 

Syria requests UN Security Council meeting on Golan

New Zealand's intelligence minister said Wednesday he was allowing spy agencies to carry out "intrusive" activities following the Christchurch mosque shootings that claimed 50 lives.
The government this week ordered a judicial inquiry into whether the South Pacific nation's intelligence services could have prevented the March 15 attack amid criticism the white supremacist gunman went unnoticed as they were too focused on Muslim extremists.
Andrew Little -- the minister responsible for the GCSB and SIS intelligence services -- said he had signed powerful surveillance warrants as information gathering continued in the wake of the attack.
"I have given authority to the agencies to do intrusive activities under warrant, the number of those (warrants) I'm not at liberty to disclose," he told Radio New Zealand.
Little said intelligence services typically monitored 30-40 people but that number had now increased, although he was unwilling to reveal by how much.
He said a warrant permitted ...

NZ green lights 'intrusive' spy ops after mosque attack

Moving Brazil's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem would be an "attack" on Palestinian people and a breach of international law, the Palestinian envoy to the Latin American country said Tuesday.
The comments by Ibrahim Alzeben come days before Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro makes an official visit to Israel where his earlier pledge to move the embassy from Tel Aviv is expected to be raised.
"Moving the embassy of any country... is a violation of international law and an attack on the Palestinian people," Alzeben told AFP.
After taking power in January, Bolsonaro reiterated his promise to follow US President Donald Trump's lead in relocating the embassy to Jerusalem.
The controversial proposal has raised fears the shift could endanger Brazil's valuable meat exports to Arab markets.
Foreign minister Ernesto Araujo told reporters last week the government was "still studying" the plan.
The decision to move the embassy is highly sensitive because Israel claims all of Jerusalem as .

Brazil's Israel embassy move would be illegal: Palestinian envoy

Donald Trump's administration announced Tuesday it was speeding up plans to send US astronauts back to the Moon, from 2028 to 2024, calling for a "spark of urgency" to prevail over delays that have plagued NASA's lunar return plans.
"It is the stated policy of this administration and the United States of America to return American astronauts to the Moon, within the next five years," Vice President Mike Pence vowed in a speech in Huntsville, Alabama, the "Rocket City" where American launchers have been built since the 1960s.
"Let me be clear, the first woman and the next man on the Moon will both be American astronauts launched by American rockets from American soil," he said, echoing previous declarations by NASA chief Jim Bridenstine that a woman could be the next human to set foot on the Moon.
The first manned Moon flight since the last Apollo mission in 1972 had been scheduled for 2028.
But the program has encountered frustrating delays in the development of a new heavy rocket for .

AFP

AFP

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