Iran says it will respond firmly to any US threat as tension spikes
DUBAI – Iran says it will respond firmly to any US threat against it, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reports, amid escalating tension between Tehran and Washington over the shooting…
Sri Lanka extends emergency for third month after Easter bombings
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka has extended a law granting security forces emergency powers into third month following the Easter Day bomb attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than…
‘Unholy alliance’? SE Asian authorities accused of trading exiled activists
BANGKOK- Southeast Asian leaders have opened a two-day summit in Bangkok, though it is unclear what progress their 10-country group could make on disputes in the South China Sea and…
HK protesters disperse after blockading police headquarters
HONG KONG – Thousands of protesters who had blockaded police headquarters in Asia’s leading financial centre has mostly dispersed by this morning with some roads reopened for traffic as normal…
Kim, Xi agree to grow ties whatever external situation – N.Korean media
SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and China’s President Xi Jinping have reached a consensus on “important issues,” and agreed to build on their countries’ friendly relations “whatever…
Fresh wave of protests as Hong Kong ignores deadline to scrap extradition bill
HONG KONG – Several hundred people have rallied in Hong Kong after the expiry of a deadline protesters set for the government to completely scrap a controversial extradition bill, in…
Ecuador judge frees Swedish programmer close to Assange; probe continues
QUITO – An Ecuadorean judge has ordered that a Swedish citizen and personal friend of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange be freed, two months after he was detained for alleged participation…
Trump says he is ready to press China’s Xi on case of two detained Canadians
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump says he is prepared to raise the case of two Canadians detained by Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, an act that could potentially…
Hong Kong lets protesters’ deadline to scrap extradition bill pass, setting stage for further demos
HONG KONG – Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has appeared to ignore a Thursday deadline set by some protesters to withdraw an extradition bill that she promoted then postponed, setting…
Saudi crown prince linked to Khashoggi murder in UN report
GENEVA/RIYADH – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior officials should be investigated over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi given credible evidence against them, a UN rights…
