Australia has announced it'll extend visas for Hong Kong residents and businesses in response to China's new national security law.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Thursday that a range of visa holders will be allowed to stay in the country for longer and be offered a pathway to permanent residency.
Separate efforts will be made for businesses, but plans for a humanitarian intake is still not on the cards.
The country has also suspended its extradition treaty.
US considering 'winding down' military efforts in Iran war, says Trump
President Donald Trump said on Friday the US was getting very close to meeting its objectives as it considers winding down its military efforts in the Iran war and called on countries that use the Strait of Hormuz to guard and police it "as necessary".
US sending marines and amphibious assault ship to Middle East
The US military is deploying thousands of Marines to the Middle East, officials told Reuters on Friday, as President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to send forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz.
Fire breaks out at Kuwaiti refinery after drone attacks
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has announced that the Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery, operated by Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), came under drone attacks early on Friday, with a fire breaking out at several units as a result.
US strike against alleged drug smugglers in eastern Pacific kills two
US forces launched a strike against a boat allegedly involved in drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific, the US military said on Friday, killing two people.
UK says vaccine protects against strain in deadly meningitis outbreak
Britain's health authorities said on Friday that early laboratory analysis had showed the vaccine being offered to students should protect against the strain of meningitis behind an outbreak in southeast England that has killed two people.
