Hello, Australia! – Prince Charles really needs a hobby – The US plans to get tough with Beijing over South China Sea expansion – Is Japan’s post-war period ending? – BABY DUCKS! – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Prince Charles’ media advisor might need a little advice herself on how to handle the press.. without getting physical.  Christina Kyriacou was caught on video body-blocking Channel 4’s Michael Crick, and stealing his microphone cover before dumping it on the ground in London.  Crick was trying to ask the Prince about the so-called “Black Spider Memos”, a series of correspondence the Prince had with UK leaders in 2004 and 2005.  Crick specifically wanted to know if Charles had overstepped his bounds into improperly exerting influence over democratically elected government.

The Prince and the UK Government had spent a decade in court trying to keep the Guardian Newspaper from publishing the “Black Spider Memos”, so named because of the Prince’s distinctive handwriting.  In them, Charles lobbies then-Prime Minister Tony Blair on behalf of farmers, against certain pieces of legislation, and sounds off on military procurements.  Charles is also revealed to be a fan of homeopathy, lobbying against a bill to control quack herbal alternative medicines.  At least he didn’t appear to take sides among political parties.

US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Beijing this weekend, and will explain in no uncertain terms the US commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and flight in the South China Sea.  That could make for a contentious meeting, as China is constructing islands in the region and claiming the sea as its exclusive waters – even though it lies way beyond China’s internationally recognized maritime borders.  A State Department spokesman said, “Ultimately no matter how much sand China piles on top of a submerged reef or shoal, it is not enhancing its territorial claim.  You can’t build sovereignty.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his cabinet are on the verge of passing new legislation redefining the country’s military status, in effect ending the post-World War II “Pacifist” period.  The bills will allow Japan to mobilize the country's Self-Defense Forces when exercising the right to “collective self-defense” – and remove most restraints on cooperating with US military adventures.  Hundreds of opponents of the plans rallied outside the Prime Minister’s offices.

The death toll in the factory fire in the Philippines is now up to 45 workers killed, 26 still missing in the burned out shell of the Kentex Manufacturing plant in Valenzuela city.  Families of workers complain that iron grills reinforced the windows on the building, making impossible for people to jump out to save themselves.  Mayor Rex Gatchalian says sparks from welding work near the main entrance ignited chemicals used in the manufacture of the rubber slippers.

Expectations are grim for some 15 miners trapped in a flooded gold mine in Colombia.  It could take three days to pump out the water, and the workers are trapped at a depth of 17 meters.  The mine’s owner says he fears the men are already dead.

Afghan police killed three gunmen who attacked a guesthouse in Kabul, killing five people.  One American and one Indian are among the dead at the guesthouse, which was popular among foreigners.  There’s been no immediate claim of responsibility, but the Taliban has carried out similar attacks in the past.

Somalia executed two presumed Al Shabaab terrorists for murdering five people, including four members of parliament – one of whom was Saado Ali Warsame, a popular musician in her earlier career.  Al Shabaab wants to overthrow the Somali government and create an ultra-orthodox Islamic state.

Tokyo residents rescue urban ducks from their oddly located nest.