In Brief

Taiwan preps for Chinese buildup

Taipei: Taiwan is making every effort to avoid a military confrontation with China by enhancing asymmetric defence capabilities and strengthening public resilience, stated Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim. Hsiao said that Taiwan must advocate for the notion that preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait serves the interests of all global stakeholders.

Thai PM won’t resign, dissolve Parliament

Bangkok: Thailand’s embattled prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will not resign or dissolve parliament, a senior official from the ruling Pheu Thai party said on Saturday, risking a prolonged political crisis. The Bhumjaithai Party, which was the second-biggest partner in Thailand's ruling coalition, withdrew from the alliance late on Wednesday.

Syrian returnees face bleak future: UN

Damascus: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said on Friday that more than two million Syrian refugees and internally displaced people have returned home but that their fu “fragile and hopeful” and warned that the returnees may not remain if Syria does not get more international assistance to rebuild its infrastructure.

Belarus frees key dissident figure

Tallinn: Belarus has freed Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a key dissident figure and the husband of an exiled opposition leader, following a visit there by a senior Trump administration official. Tsikhanouski, a popular blogger and activist, had arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania, alongside 13 other political prisoners.

In LA, Vance says troops need to stay

Los Angeles: Republican Vice President JD Vance on Friday met troops who have been deployed in Los Angeles to quell protests against immigration raids, as he accused Democratic state and city leaders of encouraging immigrants to cross the US border illegally. A US appeals court on Thursday let Trump retain control of California’s National Guard. Vance hinted they might stay in the city for some time.