Japan protests against China’s allegations of dangerous conduct by fighter jets
TOKYO – Japan says it has protested strongly against China’s allegations its fighter jets had engaged in “dangerous and unprofessional” behaviour when they scrambled at the weekend as Chinese aircraft flew…
Australian government gives green light to Sydney’s second airport
SYDNEY – The Federal government has approved a second international airport for Sydney, opening the way for construction to begin in Australia’s largest city on a project mired in political squabbling…
United States and Russia propose safe exit for Aleppo rebels: opposition officials
The United States and Russia have tabled a proposal to rebels in Aleppo that would offer safe passage from the city for fighters, their families and other civilians, three opposition officials…
Finance Minister English named as New Zealand prime minister
New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English has been confirmed as the country’s new prime minister, as expected, a week after John Key announced his surprise resignation after eight years in the…
Trump says reports Russia helped him in U.S. election are ‘ridiculous’
United States President-elect Donald Trump has rejected as “ridiculous” US intelligence reports that Russia intervened in the presidential election on his behalf through targeted hacking, putting him at odds with top…
Islamic State militants capture Palmyra despite heavy Russian strikes
Islamic State have captured the ancient city of Palmyra despite dozens of Russian airstrikes to push back the militants a day after they briefly seized the city in eastern Syria,…
Italy hurries to form new government as banking crisis looms
ROME – Italian President Sergio Mattarella has asked Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni to try to form a new government, giving him a mandate to lead Italy out of a political…
Qantas to fly non-stop from Australia’s Perth to London
SYDNEY – Australia’s national carrier Qantas Airways Ltd will launch the first regular passenger flight directly linking Australia and Europe when it begins flights from Perth to London with Boeing…
From afar, Dylan muses on honour and surprise of Nobel prize
STOCKHOLM – Nobel laureate Bob Dylan sent a message on Saturday thanking the Swedish academy for awarding him the Nobel prize for literature, an honor the American singer and songwriter…
Taiwan says China air force conducts long-range drills
TAIPEI – Chinese military aircraft on Saturday flew over waterways near Taiwan as part of long-range exercises, Taiwan said, the first such flights since a telephone call between Taiwan’s leader…
