Pyongyang issues ROK loudspeaker ultimatum

Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, ordered the nation's troops onto a war footing from 5pm on Friday after Pyongyang issued an ultimatum to Seoul to halt anti-DPRK propaganda broadcasts by Saturday afternoon or face military action.

Trembling hostages recall escape

Two Philippine coast guards on Friday trembled and cried as they recalled their harrowing four-month captivity at the hands of Islamic extremists who beheaded one of their fellow hostages.

Canberra mulls US call to bomb IS

Australia is considering a US request to launch airstrikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria in an unprecedented departure from Australian foreign policy that could spark political disputes.

Tsipras bets on early general election to boost reform mandate

Greece's president began the process of asking opposition leaders to form a new government on Friday, a day after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras resigned and called an early election next month to deal with a governing party rebellion over Greece's third bailout deal.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Tianjin hotels open doors to blast victims

Two huge explosions on Wednesday night tore through an industrial area where toxic chemicals and gas were stored in the northeast Chinese port city of Tianjin, killing at least 56 people, including at least 21 fire fighters.

Element Suzhou offers sustainable accommodation

The Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, Starwood's first eco-friendly hotel in Asia Pacific, is designed for the "next generation".

Wyndham pushes expansion of Ramada brand in China

Wyndham Hotel Group has announced the opening of the Ramada Nanjing, along with the signing of seven additional Ramada properties in Jiangsu, Hubei, Shandong and Sichuan provinces, part of the continued expansion of the Ramada brand in China.

Roundup

Appointment

Overseas trips by Chinese tourists increase, but stays become shorter

After two decades of rapid and mostly double-digit growth, China has developed into one of the leading global travel markets.

InterContinental posts strong first-half performance

The performance of its hotels in China and Japan has provided a strong boost to InterContinental Hotels Group's half year results.

New media offer MICE targeted ways to promote

The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry and the luxury travel industry are turning to digital solutions to promote themselves, according to leading businesses in the industry.