China says Taiwan courting ‘disaster’ after election independence comment
The Chinese government warned self-ruled Taiwan on Thursday that it was courting “disaster”, after the running mate for President Tsai Ing-wen in January elections said he was working toward the island’s independence, a red line for Beijing.
Nepal’s ailing Prime Minister Oli reshuffles his cabinet
New ministers were inducted into Nepal’s government on Thursday as part of a cabinet reshuffle by ailing Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who is trying to strengthen his grip, improve ties with a powerful ally and minimize internal party conflict.
North Korea says ‘not right time’ for Kim to attend South Korea ASEAN summit
North Korea rejected an invitation for leader Kim Jong Un to attend a planned summit in Seoul with Southeast Asian nations next week, saying “now is not the time” due to strained ties, North Korean state media reported on Thursday.
‘Never turning back’, PNG’s Bougainville separatists expect vote for independence
Twenty years after combatants snapped arrows to signal the end of hostilities in the Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville, voters will on Saturday cast ballots in a long-awaited independence referendum.
Visiting Thailand, Pope condemns exploitation of women and children
Pope Francis on Thursday condemned the exploitation of women and children in Thailand, which is notorious for its sex tourism, calling the violence, abuse and enslavement they suffer evils that must be uprooted.
Tuvalu rejects China offer to build islands and retains ties with Taiwan
Tuvalu’s foreign minister said on Thursday the South Pacific nation had rejected offers from Chinese companies to build artificial islands to help it cope with rising sea levels, an approach viewed as undermining Taiwan’s influence in the region.
Protesters stay holed up on Hong Kong campus, surrounded by riot police
Fewer than 100 protesters remained holed up in a Hong Kong university on Thursday as riot police encircled the campus, with some activists desperately searching for ways to escape while others hid.
Explainer: U.S. legislation on Hong Kong: what does it mean?
The U.S. Congress has passed legislation to back protesters in Hong Kong and threaten China with possible sanctions on human rights, which sources say President Donald Trump is expected to sign into law in coming days.
Highlights: Protesters stay holed up on Hong Kong campus, surrounded by riot police
Fewer than 100 protesters remained holed up in a Hong Kong university on Thursday as riot police encircled the campus, with some activists still desperately searching for ways to escape while others hid.
Australians shelter from bushfires as political pressure rises
Firefighters battled against hundreds of bushfires across Australia’s east coast on Thursday as scores of blazes sprang up in new locations, triggering warnings that it was too late for some residents to evacuate.
