East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Trump singles out Australia as he criticizes allies on Iran war support ABC News (Australia) The US president said he was “surprised” by Australia’s refusal to help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz, while again lashing out at NATO allies for their inaction. He extended a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and said it would face its “worst nightmare” if it did not agree…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Bushfire warning downgraded for blaze in Darlington, Helena Valley in Perth’s eastern suburbs ABC (Australia) Authorities have downgraded a bushfire in Perth’s hills from emergency level to watch and act, with firefighters saying the blaze was stationary. Multiple aerial water bombers were sent to battle the bushfire on Friday afternoon after it had put lives and homes under threat. Cambodia: Police arrest more than 400 in major human trafficking…
East Asia & the Pacific Cambodia: ASEAN ministers back peaceful end to Cambodia-Thailand border tensions Khmer Times (Cambodia) Cambodia has continued to take a proactive role in resolving the border conflict with Thailand within the ASEAN framework, as discussed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held on Thursday in Cebu, the Philippines. At the meeting, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, briefed ASEAN counterparts on the current situation…
East Asia & the Pacific Cambodia: CMAC clears 25 cluster bombs in Oddar Meanchey, warns risks remain Khmer Times (Cambodia) The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has uncovered and cleared 25 M46 cluster munitions in Oddar Meanchey province, prompting renewed warnings for residents of border communities to remain vigilant as fresh remnants of the July armed clashes with Thailand continue to surface. The explosives, fired from a 155mm artillery system were found on December 1–2…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Treasurer announces rework of stalled superannuation tax increase plan ABC News (Australia) Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed several concessions to the government’s “contentious” superannuation tax proposal have been made. The proposed new threshold at which tax on earnings would be doubled will now be indexed to inflation, and the measure will not apply to unrealized capital gains. Cambodia: Cambodia, South Korea Strengthen Cooperation in Tackling Online Scams Khmer Times…
