Sydney / AFP Australia unveiled a massive new investment in the nation’s defence capabilities on Thursday to address what Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called “high stakes” and “momentous times” in Asia. Citing increased defence spending around the region and potential flashpoints in the South China Sea and the Korean peninsula, he said the government was committed to combating the most ...

SYDNEY / AP Australia’s government warned on Thursday that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of preparing attacks in Indonesia, and urged travelers to exercise a high level of caution when visiting the southeast Asian nation, including the popular tourist island of Bali. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued the travel advisory, which said only that there ...

BEIJING / AP China’s Defense Ministry says the commander of US forces in the Pacific smeared China while seeking additional defense funding from Congress. Ministry spokesman Col. Wu Qian on Thursday strongly criticized Adm. Harry Harris Jr.’s testimony before Congress this week, in which Harris said China was militarizing the South China Sea. Wu said he understood Harris was seeking ...