SUVA -- Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged all Fijians to embrace unity, peace, and progress as the nation celebrates 55 years of independence.
Delivering his Fiji Day message on Friday, Rabuka reflected on Fiji's nationhood journey, honoring the vision and sacrifices of the country's founding leaders who laid the foundation for an independent Fiji in 1970. (Fiji-55 years-Independence)
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BANGKOK -- Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Friday said that Thailand is willing to expand exchanges and cooperation with China to benefit the people of both countries and promote prosperity and development in the region and the world.
The king made the remarks when he received the credential presented by the new Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei in the Dusit Palace in Bangkok. (Thailand-China-Relations)
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TOKYO -- Japan's Komeito said Friday that the political party plans to terminate its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and will not vote for new LDP chief Sanae Takaichi as prime minister, citing differences over their response to political funding issues, local media reported.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito told Takaichi in a meeting on Friday afternoon that his party will leave the coalition government, ending a partnership between the two parties that has lasted more than 25 years, public broadcaster NHK reported. (Japan-Ruling Coalition-Breakup)
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MANILA -- A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least six people and causing widespread damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure, authorities have said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake occurred at 9:43 a.m. local time (0143 GMT) at a depth of 23 km, approximately 43 km northeast of the municipality of Manay. (Philippines-Earthquake-Death) ■
