MANILA: The Philippines has topped China in terms of buying rice in the global market, making it the world’s biggest rice importer for 2019. .

MAGUINDANAO: Military pursuit operations are underway against a band of Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels, which figured in a clash with government troops Saturday in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, that left a government soldier and two rebels killed.

JAKARTA: Indonesia will host the China-Asean conference on the people-to-people friendship organization from November 10 to 12, 2019, in Bandung, West Java province.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: “Meneladani Muamalat Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam” or Exemplifying the Behaviour of Prophet Muhammad is this year’s theme for the Brunei national-level Maulidur Rasul (Prophet’s Birthday) Celebrations, Grand Assembly and Procession ceremony.

PHUKET: A 70-year-old German national was tied up and his arm slashed by two men with knives who robbed him and his Thai wife of two ATM cards at their house in Muang district on Thursday evening.

PARIS: Exiled Cambodian opposition party leader Sam Rainsy was blocked in Paris on Thursday and his deputy detained in Malaysia as they tried to fly home despite arrest threats from Cambodia’s  leader Hun Sen. Both Rainsy and Mu Sochua had planned to meet up with other opposition supporters to mark Cambodia’s Independence Day on Saturday.

MANILA: Roughly 30 years from now, major cities in the National Capital Region could likely be submerged as coastal flooding is seen to become extensive worldwide by 2050 due to climate change.

BANGKOK: Justice Minister, Somsak Thepsutin is pressing the Department of Special Investigation to accept a case against a foreign-exchange trading company as more victims have shown up.

A TEENAGER in Thailand collapsed and died at his computer after having all-night gaming sessions during his school holidays.

SINGAPORE: A doctor allegedly flew into a rage and assaulted his then girlfriend, causing multiple facial fractures, after she expressed her reluctance to have sex with him, a Singapore district court heard Monday.