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By Liz Lee BEIJING (Reuters) – Authorities issued their highest warnings for fog and haze on Tuesday as smog enveloped major cities in northern China, warning the public that visibility could drop to less than 50 metres (164 feet). Northern province Hebei launched an anti-pollution emergency response, listing traffic safety controls for when necessary including …

China’s smog-covered north on highest pollution alert as visibility drops Read More »

By Jessie Pang and Dorothy Kam HONG KONG (Reuters) – A Hong Kong court acquitted U.S. State Senator Jeff Wilson of illegally possessing a firearm in the Chinese-ruled city as long as he doesn’t commit any crime for the next two years. Wilson, a member of the Washington State Senate representing the 19th district, was …

US state senator acquitted of illegal firearms possession in Hong Kong Read More »

By Gopal Sharma KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal’s snow-capped mountains have lost close to one-third of their ice in over 30 years due to global warming, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday after a visit to the area near Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Climate scientists say the earth’s temperature has increased by an …

Nepal’s mountains have lost one-third of their ice, UN chief says Read More »

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping said women have a critical role and must establish a “new trend of family”, as the nation grapples with an ageing population and record decline in the birth rate. Xi in comments, published on state news agency Xinhua on Monday, said the role of women had been …

Xi says China’s women must start ‘new trend of family’ Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s military said on Monday that a Philippine vessel “illegally entered” waters near Scarborough Shoal without authorisation and it urged the Philippines to immediately stop its provocations. China and the Philippines have had several confrontations in disputed waters in the South China Sea, recently trading accusations about a collision between a Chinese …

China military says Philippine boat ‘illegally entered’ waters near Scarborough Shoal Read More »

By Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s economy tsar He Lifeng has been appointed director of a key ruling Communist Party economic body, matching his high-profile predecessor Liu He with a particularly powerful portfolio covering economic policy, the financial sector and trade ties with Washington. He, who had previously headed the state planning agency, became …

He Lifeng: China’s economy tsar made director of key party commission Read More »

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Two potential successors of Indonesia’s outgoing President Joko Widodo on Monday called on him to remain neutral in the run-up to next year’s election amid public criticism he may be trying to retain power after leaving office. Presidential candidates Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo urged the leader to maintain neutrality ahead of …

Indonesia candidates call on president to remain neutral ahead of 2024 poll Read More »