World briefs

CHINA In response to the success of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong’s legislative elections, China has warned that anyone advocating for the territory’s independence could be punished. China reiterated that it stands entirely opposed to any independence activities in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council or outside it.

THAILAND A bomb exploded outside a school in southern Thailand yesterday, killing three people. The incident was the latest in a series of attacks that coincide with efforts to hold peace talks between Thailand’s government and Muslim separatist insurgents who have wreaked havoc in the country since 2004.

AUSTRALIA The government told a court yesterday that it was seeking at least 120 million Australian dollars (MOP736 million) from the owners of a Chinese coal ship that damaged part of the Great Barrier Reef.

JAPAN’s Prince Hisahito turns 10 amid national attention over the future of the Japanese monarchy after Emperor Akihito, his grandfather, indicated a wish to abdicate.
US-North Korea In the wake of another missile launch, U.S. President Barack Obama vows to work with the United Nations to tighten sanctions against North Korea, but adds that the U.S. is still open to dialogue if the government changes its course.

AFGHANISTAN Militants stormed a building housing an international aid organization in Kabul, provoking an overnight firefight with security forces in which three gunmen were killed and six civilians were wounded, Afghan officials said yesterday. The attack took place a day after twin bombings near the Afghan Defense Ministry killed at least 35 people and wounded more than 100 others.

NIGERIA The World Health Organization has confirmed a third case of polio in an area of Nigeria newly liberated from Boko Haram Islamic extremists, the Rotary Club said on Monday, amid fears the disease could resurge in neighboring countries. It is an indicator that Nigeria’s war on the crippling disease cannot be won until it overcomes the insurgency by extremists who are violently opposed to Western medicine.

GREECE Police in the country have arrested two local men for allegedly trying to smuggle a group of Syrian refugees trapped in Greece over the rugged border with Albania. Authorities said the suspects were part of a network that had promised to clandestinely bring the refugees to northern Europe.