Warning being used to 'justify presence'

The US, France and Britain threatened to respond strongly if the Syrian government uses chemical weapons to retake Idlib province, a move a Chinese expert believes is to legitimize their military presence in the war-torn country.

UN urges support for victims of terrorism

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged people everywhere to support victims of terrorism and their families, saying it is "a moral imperative" to promote, protect and respect their human rights.

Berlin backs EU payment system without US

The German foreign minister has said Europe must create a new system for financial transactions to save the landmark nuclear deal with Iran.

Dutton planning a second challenge to Australian prime minister

CANBERRA - A second challenge to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's leadership loomed on Wednesday, a day after Turnbull rejected the resignations of seven Cabinet members who had backed a rival who is openly preparing a new bid.

Korean families bid emotional farewell

SEOUL - Hundreds of elderly Koreans tearfully said their final goodbyes on Wednesday at the end of the first round of rare reunions between relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Local effort may provide blueprint

Helping Southeast Asian countries to achieve their sustainable development goals will lead to "new growth points of China-ASEAN cooperation", China's Ambassador to ASEAN Huang Xilian told a two-day symposium that ended on Tuesday.

Australian PM clings to power after winning leadership contest

SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull survived a leadership challenge by narrowly winning a ballot on Tuesday, a government official said.

Aid agencies rush to help quake survivors

SUGIAN, Indonesia - Indonesian aid agencies and government officials rushed on Tuesday to help survivors after another series of powerful quakes rattled Lombok island, killing at least 10 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Anti-drug assaults in Rio leave 13 dead

RIO DE JANEIRO - At least 11 suspects and two soldiers died during shootouts with military personnel and police in greater Rio de Janeiro on Monday as violence erupted in several areas of the city that hosted the Summer Olympics two years ago.

Venezuela unveils new currency in reforms

Venezuela introduced new banknotes on Monday as the government launched economic reforms to tackle the country's hyperinflation.

UK urges EU to go further in countering Russia

New British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt wants the European Union to follow the United States' lead and impose more sanctions on Russia for a chemical attack that was allegedly carried out by Russia on British soil earlier this year, a claim that Moscow has consistently denied.