Asia

Staring down a defiant North Korea

SEOUL: The United States, South Korea and Japan have moved to bolster their defences in the face of an increasingly belligerent North Korea, as reports yesterday indicated that Pyongyang was preparing fresh missile launches.

Malaysia

Prince allowed wife to leave, says his friend

KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman close to Kelantan prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra has refuted claims that Indonesian model Manohara Odelia Pinot made a dramatic escape from her 'abusive' royal husband.

South-east Asia

Thai 'yellow shirts' name new party

BANGKOK: Thailand's 'yellow shirt' protest movement yesterday officially renamed itself the New Politics Party, six months after leading an economically devastating blockade of Bangkok's airports.

China

US-China talks to start next month

BEIJING: The United States and China will kick off their much-anticipated Cabinet-level talks next month, Washington said yesterday as US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner wrapped up a visit to Beijing.