North Korea

By Gabriel Elizondo in Americas on December 23rd, 2011
[Reuters]

Long before Kim Jong-un was chosen as the heir to North Korea’s dynasty, he was apparently just another eight year old kid who wanted to go see Mickey Mouse at Disneyland Tokyo.

So his parents reportedly took the logical next step anybody in the same situation would: They got him a fake Brazilian passport.

Well, maybe that’s not the obvious next step for most parents, but that is what happened, according to a report in Japan’s widely-read Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, with a print circulation of almost 20 million. 

The article is based on information from Japanese security officials who claim that Jong-un secretly entered Japan with his brother (who was also reportedly using a Brazilian passport).

The kids were a

By Asad Hashim in Americas on September 2nd, 2011
A traveler arriving from overseas is fingerprinted while his paperwork is checked by a US border patrol official [GALLO/GETTY]

There is a very particular smell that you get as soon as you step off the aircraft and into the United States.

It must be the brand of disinfectant they use at their airports.

For a land of immigrants, it is striking how central the issue of immigration (and border security) is to domestic US politics, and hence policies. Often described as a "wedge issue" (one which can divide members of groups that are otherwise uniform in their approval of certain politics), immigration is usually at the centre of a candidate for any major office’s policy brief – with many (regardless of party affiliation) coming down on the populist side of making immigration requirements stricter in order to limit entry into the job market of foreign employment seekers.

By Melissa Chan in Asia on November 24th, 2010
Photo by EPA

North Korea shoots dozens of rounds of artillery onto a South Korean island, causing fires which burn out of control as citizens flee in panic. Television footage shows thick plumes of black smoke drifting menacingly up and, for a couple of hours, no one is certain how far this situation would escalate.

What is China's reaction to all this?

"We have taken note of the relevant report and express concern over the situation ... This situation will be verified. We hope relevant parties will contribute their part to peace and security on the Peninsula," said Hong Lei, of the Chinese foreign ministry.

By Al Jazeera Staff in Asia on November 23rd, 2010
Photo by AFP

19:03 GMT The US plans to consult with allies, including Chin,a to develop a "measured and unified" response to the artillery exchange, the US state department says.

"Everybody involved is stunned by North Korea's provocative actions," Mark Toner, a state department spokesman, said.

"We are working again within an established framework with our partners so we have a deliberate approach to this.

By Gabriel Elizondo in Americas on June 17th, 2010
AFP photo

Brazil football fans have a singular focus on the World Cup in South Africa, Sunday’s game against the Ivory Coast, and next Friday’s match against Portugal.

By Marwan Bishara in Imperium on May 3rd, 2010

File 2451

As the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference convenes here in New York this week to assess compliance and to agree on steps to achieve its goals, the world cannot afford a repeat of its 2005 fiasco.

There is a general perception that the NPT regime is in bad shape. In reality, it is worse.

Behind its failures lie double standards and narrow strategic thinking by its five certified nuclear powers, which hampers implementation of its decisions and erodes its credibility.

At the heart of the NPT crisis are three failures relating to the treaty's three main pillars: Disarmament, non-proliferation and access to civilian nuclear energy.

How significant is a "significant" reduction? How new is a "new weapon"?

A central goal of the NPT, which has 189 signatories, is the disarmament of its nuclear powers.

By Alan Fisher in Europe on June 24th, 2009

From his comfortable office in the sprawling UN complex Vienna, Mohammed ElBaradei runs the world’s nuclear watchdog. 

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is never far from the headlines, whether it’s dealing with North Korea’s no so  secret tests, Iran’s ongoing nuclear programme or the Americans and the Russians pledging to cut their nuclear arms weapons.

The Egyptian Director General is walking away.  After 12 years in charge, he’ll step down in November leaving someone else to fight the battles.

His office is large but uncluttered.  On his desk a number of books, some press cuttings but most obviously, pictures of his family he proudly describes as ‘citizens of the world’.

Al Jazeera Live

What's Hot


Recent Comments

This work is licensed under Creative Commons. Please read our attribution policy.