Asia Briefs: Okinawa governor to block work on US base

Okinawa governor to block work on US base

TOKYO • The governor of Japan's Okinawa prefecture, Mr Takeshi Onaga, says he will move to halt work on a contentious US airbase that the central government wants relocated on the island, but which many Okinawa residents want removed altogether.

He said yesterday that a permit for key landfill work would be revoked as a first step.

Protesters in Nago, Okinawa, making their stand yesterday against plans for a new US airbase on the southern Japanese island.
Protesters in Nago, Okinawa, making their stand yesterday against plans for a new US airbase on the southern Japanese island. PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

The issue could further weaken support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who aims to pass security Bills that would allow Japan's military fight overseas for the first time since World War II.

REUTERS


Taleban stages raid on Afghan prison

GHAZNI • Taleban insurgents in military uniform have stormed a prison in Afghanistan, freeing hundreds of inmates after detonating a car bomb and killing four policemen in the country's largest jailbreak in years.

The brazen raid in the eastern city of Ghazni comes as the Taleban ramps up attacks on government and foreign targets despite being embroiled in a bitter leadership transition.

The Interior Ministry said 355 of the prison's 436 inmates escaped. Most were Taleban and other militants.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Thai journalist detained over dissent

BANGKOK • A prominent Thai journalist has been detained for so-called "attitude adjustment", the controversial tool used to clamp down on dissent.

Government spokesman Winthai Suvaree said yesterday that a columnist for the English-language Nation newspaper, Pravit Rojanaphruk, was being held for "presenting information that is not in keeping with the guidelines promoting peace and order".

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand has called for Mr Pravit's immediate release.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 15, 2015, with the headline Asia Briefs: Okinawa governor to block work on US base. Subscribe