World News Roundup: Southeast Asia making good progress on South China Sea; Germany must combat right-wing extremism

Southeast Asia making good progress on South China Sea conduct code: Thailand

Southeast Asian nations made good progress on a Code of Conduct negotiating draft for the disputed South China Sea and likely will finish the first reading by the end of this year, the Thai foreign ministry said as regional leaders met in Bangkok. China says it owns most of the waterway - a claim that other states dispute - and has been aggressively building and militarizing artificial islands as well as confronting ships that enter the zone, actions that give urgency to ASEAN's efforts negotiate on the area.

Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping discussed series of plans for strengthening collaboration: KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed a series of plans for strengthening collaboration between their two countries on Friday, North Korean state media KCNA said on Saturday. During a luncheon on the second day of Xi's visit to Pyongyang, the leaders talked about the "major internal and external policies" of their respective countries and exchanged views on domestic and international issues of mutual concern, KCNA said without elaborating.

Germany must combat right-wing extremism, Merkel says after politician's murder

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday said the state must rigorously fight right-wing extremism following the murder of a prominent politician. The arrest of a man with suspected far-right sympathies over the shooting this month of Walter Luebcke, a regional ally of Merkel known for his pro-migrant views, shocked Germany and prompted calls for a more pro-active government response to anti-immigrant extremists.

U.N. rights chief Bachelet urges Venezuela to release prisoners

U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Friday urged Venezuela's government to release prisoners who were arrested for peacefully protesting, and confirmed that a delegation would remain in the country to monitor the human rights situation. Bachelet, a former Chilean president who arrived in Caracas on Wednesday for a three-day visit, met with President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido, as well as activists and victims of human rights violations.

British police called to home of PM candidate Boris Johnson after altercation

British police were called to the home of Boris Johnson, the favourite to be the next prime minister after neighbours heard a loud altercation between him and his girlfriend. The police were called in the early hours of Friday to an address in south London where Johnson is living with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds. Johnson is currently divorcing his second wife.

Myanmar orders internet shutdown in conflict-torn Rakhine state: telco operator

Myanmar authorities ordered telecoms companies to shut down internet services in conflict-torn western Myanmar, a leading operator said on Saturday, amid heightening tensions in the region, where government troops are fighting ethnic rebels. Telenor Group said the Ministry of Transport and Communications directed all telecoms companies to "temporarily" suspend internet services in nine townships in Rakhine and neighbouring Chin states, citing "disturbances of the peace and use of internet activities to coordinate illegal activities".

Sri Lanka extends emergency for third month after Easter bombings

Sri Lanka on Saturday extended a law granting security forces emergency powers into the third month following the Easter Day bomb attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people. Allowed to detain and interrogate suspects without court orders, Sri Lanka's police and military have arrested more than 100 suspects in the crackdown after the Islamist militant attacks.

Seven dead, dozens trapped in Cambodia building collapse

Seven people were killed when an under-construction building in Cambodia collapsed early on Saturday, an official said, as rescuers struggled to reach dozens of missing workers feared trapped under a mountain of twisted steel and rubble. Twenty-two people were injured in the collapse of the seven-storey Chinese-owned project in the coastal town of Sihanoukville, west of the capital Phnom Penh.

Hong Kong protesters disperse after blockading police headquarters

Thousands of protesters who had blockaded police headquarters in Asia's leading financial centre had mostly dispersed by Saturday morning with some roads reopened for traffic as normal but it remained unclear whether further mass protests would take place. Hong Kong has been bracing for the third weekend of widespread protests against an extradition bill that has plunged the Chinese-ruled city into crisis, posing the greatest popular challenge to President Xi Jinping since he took power in 2012.

Iran says it will respond firmly to any U.S. threat as tension spikes

Iran said on Saturday it would respond firmly to any U.S. threat against it, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, amid escalating tension between Tehran and Washington over the shooting down of an unmanned U.S. drone by the Islamic Republic. On Thursday, an Iranian missile destroyed a U.S. Global Hawk surveillance drone. Tehran said the drone was shot down over its territory and Washington said it had occurred in international airspace.