By DIDI KIRSTEN TATLOW Whether restarting work on a nuclear reactor or (allegedly) kidnapping Chinese fishermen, trying to launch a satellite or to import banned tap-dancing shoes from Italy, North Korea continues to draw international attention a month after Kim Jong-un was declared its new leader. China is North Korea’s closest ally. Yet for many Chinese, exasperated tolerance seems to be turning to anger ...

SYRIA: Opposition leader stepping down The main opposition council is crumbling under the weight of infighting over issues that cut to the heart of the revolution, including accusations that the movement is becoming as autocratic as the regime it wants to drive out. The slow disintegration of the Syrian National Council could complicate Western efforts to bolster the opposition, just as President Bashar Ass ...

Dav Whatmore has warned his Pakistan players they face a battle on next month's tour of Sri Lanka. The Australian backed the six uncapped players picked across Pakistan's Test, one-day and Twenty20 squads to make an impact on the tour, which starts with a Twenty20 international in Hambantota on June 1. Pakistan began a short training camp in Lahore on Wednesday ahead of the tour, where they play two Twenty2 ...

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez is unhappy his squad hasn't played enough recent international cricket ahead of the start of its tour to Sri Lanka next month. Bangladesh's proposed tour of Pakistan in April was postponed because of security concerns, meaning the country's last international match was when it beat Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final in March. No Pakistani player is taking p ...

Shivnarine Chanderpaul fought a typical rearguard action to lead West Indies to 146 for four at tea on the first day of the opening Test against England at Lord's on Thursday. The tenacious left-hander was unbeaten on 42 at the interval with Marlon Samuels on 14 after the touring side lost two more wickets in the afternoon session. Opener Adrian Barath was first to go for 42, driving loosely at a wide ball ...

The US has plans in place to attack Iran if other measures fail to stop it developing nuclear weapons, Washington's envoy to Israel says. Dan Shapiro said the US hoped diplomacy and sanctions would persuade Iran to alter its nuclear programme, but a military option was "ready". US President Obama has previously said military action has not been ruled out. The US and its allies say Iran is developing a nucle ...

By Anne Gearan Mapping the way out of an unpopular war, the United States and NATO are trying to build an Afghan army that can defend the country after 130,000 international troops pull out. The alliance's plans for arm's-length support for Afghanistan will be a central focus of the summit President Barack Obama is hosting Sunday and Monday in Chicago. Raise your voiceRaise Your Voice Click to write to your ...

By Lina Saigol in London An oil tanker belonging to Iran’s state-owned shipping line has been switching flags and using multiple companies to transport crude from Syria to Iran, illustrating how Tehran is helping to sidestep international efforts to choke the finances of Bashar al-Assad, Syrian president. Documents obtained by the Financial Times show the vessel, operated by the Islamic Republic Internation ...