The Philippines said a Chinese coast guard ship "fired its water cannon" at a government vessel on Sunday morning. Beijing said the vessel "ignored repeated stern warnings" and approached dangerously.

Washington announced an additional 100 per cent tariff on China's US-bound exports, in retaliation for Beijing's expanded curbs on rare-earth minerals.

Four suspects have since been remanded for six days to assist investigations under Section 375B of the Penal Code for gang rape.

Conservative Sanae Takaichi was elected as the new Liberal Democratic Party president a week ago but needs the approval of parliament to secure the top job.

Many coastal residents of Mindanao island slept outdoors, fearing aftershocks of the 7.4- and 6.7-magnitude quakes that struck within hours of each other on Friday.

The public security bureau in the Chinese city of Xiamen said the 18 people were core members of Taiwan military's "psychological warfare unit", and published their pictures, names and Taiwan identity card numbers.

The invitation to send election observers was extended to all ASEAN member states. 

The weapon was described by state media KCNA as the country's "strongest nuclear strategic weapon system".

The move comes in response to China's announcement of new export controls on rare earths.

An ageing workforce is affecting all sorts of professions, says Leo Lewis for Financial Times.

The UN children's charity said the immune systems of children, including infants, have been badly compromised.

The recent death of a Korean college student in Cambodia - reportedly kidnapped and tortured by a local crime ring - has shocked South Korea.

Any such deal would require the United States to “reconform” to its one-China policy and to also stop “containing and suppressing” Beijing, says eminent Chinese scholar Wu Xinbo.

Beyond the eight-day travel buzz, experts say China’s inbound tourism is “rebounding strongly”, but it may require a different playbook to sustain momentum.

The aftershock, the largest of at least 300 recorded so far, came after a 7.4-magnitude temblor rocked the Mindanao region.