IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Australia

Canberra opposes new whaling push

Australia on Thursday vowed to "vehemently" oppose a new push by Japan to undermine a global moratorium on commercial whaling, and urged other nations to stand firm against Tokyo. Japan calls it a "scientific research" program despite international criticism. During its most recent annual whale hunt, Japan reported it caught 333 minkes, 122 of which were pregnant, sparking outrage among conservationists.

Republic Of Korea

Warship deployed after kidnapping

Seoul said on Thursday it had deployed a warship to Libya in an apparent show of force to secure the release of a Republic of Korean national kidnapped with three Filipinos in the North African country. The 4,000-ton vessel, Munmu the Great, which takes part in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, was on its way to Libya. The four hostages were abducted in an attack on a water project site in western Libya on July 6.

New Zealand

PM returns from maternity leave

Prime Minister and new mother Jacinda Ardern, only the second world leader to give birth while in office, resumed her duties on Thursday, ending six weeks of maternity leave. The 38-year-old has opted to work from home in Auckland until the weekend, when she will relocate to the capital Wellington.

Ap - afp

(China Daily 08/03/2018 page12)