Briefly

CAMBODIA

Timor-Leste gets nod to join ASEAN grouping

The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed on Friday in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th ASEAN member, according to an ASEAN leaders' statement. The statement was issued while the leaders are gathering in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit and related summits. "We the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations …agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste to be the 11th member of ASEAN," the statement said.

SPAIN

Top museums in plea over painting attacks

Dozens of the world's top museums issued a joint declaration on Thursday saying environmental activists who attack paintings "severely underestimate" the damage that could be caused. It was spearheaded by the Prado in Madrid, and signed by the directors of over 90 museums including the Louvre in Paris. Protesters have attacked numerous masterpieces across Europe including works by Vincent van Gogh to protest the lack of action against climate change.

Agencies via Xinhua