China says lots of countries take steps to prevent terrorism
Many countries take steps to prevent terrorism, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday, after United Nations’ human rights experts voiced alarm over the country’s alleged political re-education camps for Muslim Uighurs.
Catholic bishops in Australia reject compulsory abuse reporting, defying new laws
The Catholic church in Australia said on Friday it would oppose laws forcing priests to report child abuse when they learn about it in the confessional, setting the stage for a showdown between the country’s biggest religion and the government.
Taiwan’s last African ally holds out despite overtures by China
While China meets African leaders at a major summit in Beijing next week, the king of eSwatini, self-ruled Taiwan’s last remaining ally on the continent, will be hosting thousands of people at a traditional Reed Dance ceremony.
Kremlin says Putin, Trump could hold talks three times this year: Izvestiya
Kremlin said on Friday it did not rule out the possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin could hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at three summits due to take place in 2018, including those in Singapore, France and Argentina.
Cambodian court jails Australian filmmaker for six years for espionage
A Cambodian court jailed an Australian filmmaker for six years on Friday after finding him guilty of espionage for flying a drone over an opposition party rally.
Japan’s military seeks record spending to reinforce North Korea missile defenses
Japan’s military wants record spending next year to help pay for major upgrades to defenses designed to shoot down North Korean ballistic missiles that Tokyo sees as a continued threat despite Pyongyang’s promise to abandon nuclear weapons.
New Zealand PM Ardern has two ministers step aside
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has had to strip one minister of her portfolio and had another step aside in less than a week, capping off a month of challenges for the popular premier since her return from maternity leave.
Cambodian court sentences Australian filmmaker to six years in prison for espionage
A Cambodian court sentenced an Australian filmmaker to six years in prison after finding him guilty of espionage on Friday.
Duterte says Philippines better off run by dictator if he were not around
President Rodrigo Duterte has said graft and illicit drugs were so entrenched in the Philippines that if he were not around, it would be better off run by a dictator such as late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
Trump tweets are ‘messages from some alternative universe’: China Daily
Twitter comments by U.S. President Donald Trump accusing China of hacking former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s email server are an attempt to cast China as a “scapegoat”, the official China Daily said in an editorial Friday.
