Solomon Islands stages first election since end of peacekeeping intervention
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The Solomon Islands went to the polls on Wednesday in the first election since an Australian-led peacekeeping intervention ended in 2013, with officials hoping biometric voter registration will end endemic voter fraud in the South Pa…
Non-Muslim to be sworn in as Jakarta governor despite protests
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Jakarta’s first Christian governor in nearly 50 years is expected to be sworn in on Wednesday, despite protests from religious hardliners opposing a non-Muslim taking over one of Indonesia’s most powerful political jobs.
China blames rise in violence on drug smuggling from Southeast Asia
BEIJING (Reuters) – An increase in the smuggling of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine from Southeast Asia has fueled a rise in violent crime in China this year, a state-run newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Australia tightens asylum seekers access, leaves refugees in Indonesia
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s conservative government on Wednesday defended its decision to stop asylum seekers passing through Indonesia from settling in Australia, a move that could leave Indonesia with thousands of refugees from the Middle East.
Under Modi, Israel and India forge deeper business ties
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – At the UN General Assembly in New York last September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set aside time for a critical meeting. But it wasn’t President Barack Obama he was keen to see. It was Indian Prime Minister Narendra …
Australian balance-of-power political party mired in internal dispute
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The political party headed by Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer, which holds the balance of power in parliament, is in danger of imploding thanks to a public spat among its lawmakers.
Palestinians kill four in Jerusalem synagogue attack
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Two Palestinians armed with a meat cleaver and a gun killed four worshippers in a Jerusalem synagogue on Tuesday before being shot dead by police, the deadliest such incident in six years in the holy city.
U.N. panel calls for North Korea referral to international court
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. General Assembly committee dealing with human rights on Tuesday called for the U.N. Security Council to consider referring North Korea to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.
Hungary PM, accused of flirting with Kremlin, at Russia soccer match
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – When Russia’s national soccer team took to the pitch for a friendly match against Hungary on Tuesday night, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban watched intently from the VIP section of Budapest’s new stadium.
Mexico president sees anti-government motive in massacre protests
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Grappling with outrage over violence and impunity after the apparent massacre of 43 trainee teachers, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Tuesday accused unspecified groups of seeking to destabilize his government.
