China says no to “currency war” after Trump criticism of yuan
BEIJING – China said on Friday it has never used its currency as a tool to gain an advantage in trade and was not seeking a “currency war”, after US…
Philippine leader scraps communist truce, tells troops ‘be ready to fight’
MANILA – The Philippine government will on Friday withdraw from a ceasefire with communist rebels, President Rodrigo Duterte said, as he ordered soldiers to get ready to fight and declared…
Turnbull faces long-term risk after “Donald Thump” call on refugees
SYDNEY – Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull might receive a short-term boost after his infamous phone call with US President Donald Trump but is likely to be the long-term political loser,…
N.Korea sacks head of secret police amid signs of “crack in elite”
SEOUL – North Korea has dismissed its minister of state security, a key aide to the reclusive state’s young leader, Kim Jong Un, South Korea said on Friday, in what…
Iranian refugee who sought asylum in Fiji deported back to PNG
SYDNEY – Authorities in Fiji on Friday deported an Iranian refugee who had used false documents to flee his home in the Pacific Ocean nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG),…
US warns N.Korea of “overwhelming” response if nuclear arms used
SEOUL – US President Donald Trump’s defence secretary has warned North Korea of an “effective and overwhelming” response if Pyongyang chose to use nuclear weapons, as he reassured Seoul of…
Australia agrees to meet FIFA deadline on broader Congress
SYDNEY – Football Federation Australia will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting to expand its Congress ahead of the FIFA-imposed deadline of March 31 after talks with the president of soccer’s…
Angelina Jolie slams Trump travel ban, calls for ‘compassionate America’
LOS ANGELES – Actress and human rights advocate Angelina Jolie has said US President Donald Trump’s executive order barring travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries hurts vulnerable refugees and could fuel extremism.…
Vietnam launches its e-visa system for foreigners
Vietnam has officially launched its new e-visa system, allowing citizens from a select number of countries to apply for a 30-day visa through an online form. The pilot scheme announced…
Nearly three tonnes of pangolin scales seized in Thailand
BANGKOK – Thai authorities have displayed to journalists nearly 3 tonnes of scales from pangolins, the world’s most poached animal, seized in anti-smuggling operations since December. The scales, worth more than…
