Malaysia’s PM defends criticism of India despite palm oil backlash
Malaysia is concerned about India’s new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against “wrong things” even if it costs his country financially.
Russian hackers targeted Ukrainian company at center of impeachment storm: cybersecurity firm
Russian military hackers tried to steal emails from the Ukrainian energy firm where Hunter Biden, the son of Democratic U.S. presidential contender Joe Biden, had a seat on the board, an American cybersecurity firm said on Monday.
South Korea could pursue projects with North Korea despite sanctions: Moon
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that it was too early to be pessimistic about stalled denuclearization dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and that inter-Korean cooperation could help ease the way for sanctions to be lifted.
Turkey orders 176 soldiers detained over ties to cleric: Anadolu
Turkish prosecutors on Tuesday ordered 176 soldiers detained over suspected links to the network that Ankara says was behind a coup attempt three-and-a-half years ago, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.
Mexican government preparing ‘ambitious’ criminal justice reform
Faced with rampant drug violence and homicides at record highs, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s government is preparing far-reaching reforms of Mexico’s justice system to combat insecurity and a culture of impunity, officials said on Monday.
Factbox: Companies feel the heat as bushfires choke Australia
A number of Australian companies have flagged damages or potential losses from bushfires, which have claimed the lives of 28 people and destroyed more than 2,500 homes, as the continent experiences one of the most severe fire seasons on record.
Australia’s massive fires could become routine, climate scientists warn
Bushfires ravaging Australia have provided a foretaste of the kinds of conditions that could become normal unless the world moves rapidly to curb emissions of the greenhouse gases driving global warming, scientists have warned.
Melbourne smothered in smoke as Australian bushfires burn despite cool change
Australia’s devastating bushfire season is far from over despite cooler weather this week, Victorian state officials warned on Tuesday as Melbourne was blanketed by hazardous smoke.
North Korea remains open to dialogue with U.S.: South Korea’s Moon
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday it was too early to be pessimistic about stalled decentralization dialogue between the United States and North Korea, adding that Pyongyang has not yet shut the door to more talks.
Japan approves spending for Self-Defense Forces in Middle East
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet decided on Tuesday to use about 507 million yen ($4.6 million) from this fiscal year’s budget reserves for the Self-Defense Forces in the Middle East, the finance ministry said.
