SEOUL -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday ordered resolute measures against U.S. protectionist moves in bilateral trade, taking a two-track approach to the trade issue by separating it from security issues.
"Regarding unfair trade protectionist actions, (the government) should take confident and resolute measures, such as the filing (of a complaint) with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the review over whether (the U.S. action) violates the (South) Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA)," Moon said. (South Korea-U.S.-Trade relations)
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MALE -- Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Monday requested the parliament to extend the state of emergency for a further 15 days amid the ongoing political crisis.
The parliament which convened for a special session, is now discussing the president's request and will soon take a vote among legislators. (Maldives-Politics)
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JAKARTA -- Mount Sinabung volcano in Sumatra Island of Indonesia erupted on Monday, spewing columns of ash as high as about five km and sliding hot ash down its slope.
Head of National Volcanology Agency Kasbani said the hot ash slides 4.9 km to the southeast of the crater and 3.5 km to the east. (Indonesia-Volcano)
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KABUL -- The government forces robust operations against Islamic State (IS) militants in the eastern Nangarhar province have shrunk their presence in the relatively restive province and the security forces in latest crackdown have killed 11 insurgents, Defense Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the government forces aircraft pounded IS hideouts in Achin district on Sunday night, killing 11 IS members and injuring several others, besides destroying their weapon caches and trenches. (Afghanistan-IS) Enditem
