Japan | US defense chief seeks deeper ties in first Asia visit

The first revision of the U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines in 17 years will “transform” the bilateral alliance, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said yesterday. The guidelines, expected to be formally approved in about three weeks,

Poll | Americans divided over Japan’s military role in Asia 

  Seventy years after the U.S. defeated Japan in World War II, Americans are divided over Japan playing a more active military role in Asia — and most Japanese are opposed. The

US Study reveals | Hundreds of NKorea missiles threaten Asia 

Nuclear-armed North Korea already has hundreds of ballistic missiles that can target its neighbors in Northeast Asia but will need foreign technology to upgrade its arsenal and pose a more

Filipino family appeals to Indonesia to save convicted maid 

Family members of a Filipino maid facing the death penalty after being convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia made a last-minute appeal yesterday for clemency to the country’s president. The parents,

Nepal | Opposition cuts short crippling general strike

Life returned to normal in Nepal yesterday after an opposition alliance cut short a crippling general strike over an impasse about how to approve the Himalayan nation’s constitution. Schools and markets opened and

USA | Fewer White House state dinner invites under Obama 

An invitation to a White House state dinner has always been one of Washington’s most sought-after tickets. There’s the elegant setting, VIP guests in tuxedos and designer gowns and a

Officials: No link to terrorism in Washington power outages

Widespread power outages affected the White House, the Capitol, museums, train stations and other sites across Washington and its suburbs yesterday (Macau time) — all because of an explosion at a power plant in

Yemen | 560 dead amid fears of humanitarian collapse

As tons of desperately needed medical supplies await clearance to be flown into Yemen, aid workers warned yesterday of an unfolding humanitarian crisis, saying at least 560 people, including dozens

Mexico | Ambush that killed 15 police a rarity 

An ambush that killed 15 state police officers in western Mexico appears to be a drug cartel’s revenge attack and could herald a military-style offensive against government authorities. The assault on

This Day in History: 1976 Young Liberal leader cleared of robbery

Supporters in the public gallery at the Old Bailey in London clapped and cheered as the verdict was announced. The case is certain to raise new doubts about the validity of

Offbeat: Selena’s estate sues record label over digital royalties 

The lawsuit was filed by Selena Quintanilla’s estate against UMG Recordings in U.S. District Court in New York on March 31, the 20th anniversary of the singer’s death. UMG declined

Boxing | Wladimir Klitschko looking forward to fight at MSG

Wladimir Klitschko has reached rare territory among heavyweight champions. Now, in his ninth year as champion, Klitschko is approaching Joe Louis and Larry Holmes in successful defenses. When Klitschko faces Bryant Jennings

SEC files fraud charges against ex-NFL player, partner

Federal regulators have filed civil fraud charges against former NFL cornerback Will Allen and his business partner. They’re accused of reaping more than USD31 million in a Ponzi scheme that

F1 | Mercedes looking to rebound at Chinese GP

As the Formula One circuit heads to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, it’s no longer a safe bet that Mercedes will top the podium by the end of the

Football | Gabon chosen as host of 2017 African Cup

Gabon will host the 2017 African Cup of Nations in place of war-torn Libya. Gabon, which co-hosted the tournament in 2012, was chosen again yesterday in a vote by the

NBA player, wife stabbed outside Manhattan nightclub

The NYPD says an NBA player, his wife and another woman were stabbed and injured outside a Manhattan nightclub. Police say they sustained minor injuries and were hospitalized. Their names

World Views: How not to deal with China

China’s creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the bungled U.S. response have given Beijing a nice diplomatic win. Not hugely consequential in itself, the episode is a case study

Thursday, April 9, 2015 – edition no. 2287

* US researchers: Hundreds of NKorea missiles threaten Asia * Backstreet Boys to perform in Macau * CEM: Maintenance strengthened to avoid blackouts * 560 dead amid fears of humanitarian collapse in Yemen   DOWNLOAD

The Buzz | French ex-mayor found dead before Chinese weddings trial

A former mayor of Tours was found dead yesterday in a suspected suicide, right as he was to go on trial over suspected kickbacks involving Chinese group weddings in the

World briefs

PHILIPPINES Armed men have abducted the mayor of a southern Philippine town from her house and fled with her on motorboats, officials said yesterday. IRAN Dozens of Iranian hard-liners rallied yesterday

Vegas | Vintage style invades Sin City for rockabilly fest

This isn’t your 1950s bubble gum and poodle skirts rock ‘n roll. The Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend is a flashback to classic cars, vintage pinups, Tiki drinks, tattoos and

GIT blames Taipa LRT delay on contractor’s ‘being inactive’

The Depot Superstructure is one of the five projects comprising the Taipa section of the LRT. It is situated east of the Cotai Strip and south of the airport, with

Education | With the lack of nurseries, authorities suggest at-home parenting

As of March this year, there were a total of 48 nurseries available across the city, with roughly 8,300 places available. However, this number can only allegedly serve 40 percent

Briefs | Macanese painter wins prize in London

A young Macanese painter has received an award in London from the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. Filipe Miguel das Dores, aged 25, won the prize with a

Two fires break out at residential buildings

The first incident occurred near the Red Market at around 3 a.m. The blaze at the Edificio Pac Tat, located in the Avenida do Almirante Lacerda. is suspected to have

Arts & Culture | IC opens call for submissions to Macau Printmaking Triennial

The 2nd Macau Printmaking Triennial is now open for submissions, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) stated in a press release. The event, which is organized by IC in cooperation with

Changing lifestyles in Hengqin

“Life used to be more relaxed here. Now there is more traffic and more people. Things are developing quite rapidly. We are located between the mountains and our lifestyle used

Thai Smile intends to suspend Macau-Bangkok route

The company’s CEO, Woranate Laprabang, told the Macau Business Daily that the route’s occupancy currently stands at 50 percent. It has therefore failed to meet the anticipated occupancy of 65

ARTS | Filmmakers can submit projects to ‘Local View Power’ contest

The project was first initiated in 2007 to stimulate and nurture creative works by both emerging and established filmmakers. According to a press release issued by CCM, the previous seven editions

Gov’t to transfer reserves to China Development Bank fund

A portion of the MSAR’s financial reserves could be transferred to mainland China for investment purposes. The government intends to introduce the measure in order to boost bilateral cooperation. It

Fisherman’s Wharf development plan under fire

ANM argues that these decisions are in conflict with the Cultural Institute’s suggestion about the area’s height limit of 60 meters, which was made last year. The association urged the

Little Miss Violet | Striving to make a living out of fashion blogging

Almost five years ago, when fashion bloggers started to rival traditional magazines in Europe and the United States, Macau-born Carla Florendo started her own website, which first detailed art in

YouTube Kids app criticized as deceiving

Google introduced the app in February as a "safer" place for kids to explore videos because it was restricted to "family-focused content." But the consumer activists say the app is so

FedEx to buy TNT for USD4.8b after UPS blocked in 2013

FedEx Corp. agreed to buy Dutch parcel-delivery company TNT Express NV for 4.4 billion euros (USD4.8 billion), predicting it can succeed where bigger rival United Parcel Service Inc. was blocked

Corporate Bits | Katy Perry’s world tour events in Macau to feature the dolls

Since May last year, Perry has played 129 shows and has toured throughout the United Kingdom, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Having spent the last three years DJ-ing around

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