Hong Kong holds its breath ahead of polls amid lull in violence
Hong Kong is holding its breath ahead of elections on Sunday, which carry added significance after brutal attacks on candidates and months of unrest by protesters seeking the freedom to choose their own leader.
South Korea tells Japan it will reverse decision to end intel-sharing pact: NHK
South Korea on Friday told the Japanese government it will continue to share real-time intelligence on North Korea, reversing an earlier decision to end a cooperation pact amid a spat over trade and history, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.
Security forces reopen entrance to Iraq’s key Umm Qasr port
Security forces reopened the entrance to Iraq’s main Gulf port of Umm Qasr on Friday after forcibly dispersing protesters who had been blocking it since Monday, port officials told Reuters.
U.S. voices concern over China’s attempts to sway Taiwan election
The United States is concerned about China’s attempts to influence Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections, the top U.S. official in Taiwan said on Friday, as China stepped up pressure on the self-ruled island ahead of the vote in January.
Senior China diplomat urges U.S. to meet China halfway, improve relations
Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday the United States should meet China halfway and promote a healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, as the countries continue to clash on multiple fronts including trade and South China Sea.
China makes representation to U.S. over ships in South China Sea
China lodged stern representations with the United States after U.S. navy ships sailed in the South China Sea near islands claimed by Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily briefing on Friday.
British PM Johnson’s party manifesto will be out by next week: deputy minister
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party election manifesto will be released by next week, deputy finance minister Rishi Sunak said.
Japan rules against divorced parents seeking access to children
Japan is not at fault for the inability of parents to see their children after separating despite having visitation rights, a court ruled on Friday, in a case that critics say highlights the ineptitude of a judicial system that lacks enforcement powers…
South Korean minister to visit Japan ahead of deadline on intelligence pact
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will visit Japan on Friday for a meeting of the Group of 20 big economies, a diplomatic source said, as the neighbors’ pact to share intelligence is set to end over a diplomatic and trade dispute.
New Zealand jury convicts man of murdering British backpacker
A jury in New Zealand on Friday convicted a 27-year-old man of murdering a British woman backpacker, a case that shocked the country and raised questions about its reputation as a safe, easy-going holiday destination.
