South Korea will retaliate if North Korea attacks its naval ships in waters near their disputed maritime border, the defense chief told lawmakers Friday.
The unusually strong warning comes as North Korea steps up its war rhetoric in anger over South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s tough stance toward the North.
The North Korean military has said it is “fully ready” for war with the South, and state-run media have warned that clashes between the two sides could break out at any time.

China has increased the number of short-range missiles aimed at Taiwan to about 1,500, officials and experts said yesterday, a sign of continued distrust between the two sides despite a recent warming of ties.
China expanded its arsenal last year even as tensions eased after the election of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan (賴幸媛) said.
“In this period of warmth, a war won’t break out, but don’t forget China still has 1,500 missiles aimed at Taiwan — more than 1,500 — and that’s not right,” Lai …

On Thursday, Pakistan admitted for the first time that last November’s terrorist attacks on Mumbai were planned, at least partly, on Pakistani soil, signaling perhaps a new willingness to bring those responsible to justice after months of delays. But the government also seemed keen to dispel the notion that there was any official link between the attackers and any government agencies, instead portraying itself, along with other countries, as a hapless victim.
Pakistan’s Interior Ministry Adviser Rehman Malik told a press conference that “some part of the conspiracy has taken place …

Ecuador’s left-wing president has ordered the expulsion of a senior US diplomat, accusing him of suspending aid to Ecuador’s anti-drugs programme.
During his weekly TV address, Rafael Correa said US customs attache Armando Astorga was “insolent and foolish” and had treated Ecuador like a colony.

China has reacted with indignation over an incident in which a shoe was thrown at its premier, Wen Jiabao.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the man who disrupted a speech by the premier had exhibited “despicable behaviour”.
China’s reaction was far harsher than when two shoes were thrown at former US President George W Bush.
A 27-year-old man has been charged with committing a public order offence following the incident in the UK.

A senior European Union official touring war-torn Gaza has blamed the ruling militant movement Hamas for the humanitarian crisis there.
Humanitarian aid chief Louis Michel called the destruction left by Israel’s offensive “abominable”, but said Hamas bore “overwhelming responsibility”.
He said there would be no dialogue with the “terrorist” movement until it gave up violence and recognised Israel.
He also announced emergency aid for Gaza worth more than US $70m (£50m).

ELEANOR HALL: For the first time in almost a year the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have held talks aimed at reconciliation.
The discussions took place in Egypt on the sidelines of meetings to try to cement a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
While tensions between Fatah and Hamas increased during Israel’s three-week assault on Gaza, analysts say both sides privately recognise the need for some kind of unity government.

European Union foreign ministers meeting with their Arab counterparts in Brussels on Sunday called for the two rival Palestinian factions to unite to negotiate a lasting peace with Israel.
The European Union foreign ministers said it was critical that the rival Hamas and Fatah political factions reconcile, so the border crossings of the Gaza Strip can be opened for humanitarian and other assistance after three weeks of conflict with Israel.
European politicians said it is essential for the Palestinians to speak with a single voice.
Gaza medics say some 1,300 Palestinians were killed …

If India insists Pakistan extradite the suspected planners of the November Mumbai terror attacks, it will reciprocate with its own demands, an official said.
Pakistan wants India to extradite the alleged perpetrators of the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings, a terrorist attack on the twice-weekly train service connecting Delhi, India, and Lahore, Pakistan, that killed 68 people. A Pakistani official said Sunday there would be an extradition quid-pro-quo, the Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.

Pakistan said security forces had closed five training camps run by Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group blamed for the Mumbai attack, and arrested 124 of its leaders and those of a related charity.
Tension between nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India has been simmering since the late November attack in which gunmen killed 179 people in Mumbai, India’s financial capital.
India has become increasingly frustrated with what it sees as Pakistan’s lack of action. Pakistan has been angered by an Indian suggestion Pakistani state agencies were involved and what it sees as repeated Indian hints …