Australian man and stepdaughter died in New Zealand volcano eruption, family says
A 53-year-old Australian man died alongside his teenage stepdaughter when a volcano erupted in New Zealand, their family said on Wednesday, the latest victims of the disaster to be identified.
Tremors worsen on New Zealand volcano island, prevent recovery of bodies
Increasing tremors on a volcanic island in New Zealand on Wednesday heightened the risk of another massive eruption, preventing the recovery of bodies two days after an eruption engulfed dozens of tourists in steam and hot ash.
Somali security forces kill five al Shaabab fighters to end hotel siege
Somali security forces shot dead five Al Shabaab gunmen, who had killed three civilians and two soldiers during an attack on a hotel near the presidential residence in Mogadishu on Tuesday night, police said early on Wednesday.
Exclusive: Disasters, downturn challenge New Zealand’s Ardern going into election year
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern faces tough challenges as she heads into a general election campaign next year, with economic growth slowing, divisive referendums looming and a country reeling from disasters both natural and man-made.
Bougainville backs independence from Papua New Guinea with near unanimous support
The South Pacific islands of Bougainville have overwhelmingly voted to be independent from Papua New Guinea, the referendum commission said on Wednesday, in a historic poll that will embolden separatists as they start negotiating the terms of their sov…
Police to question Malaysia’s Anwar over sexual assault claim
Anwar Ibrahim, in line to take over Malaysia’s premiership, will be called in for questioning over allegations that he had sexually assaulted a former male aide, police said on Wednesday.
Adelaide Airport briefly evacuated after security machine fault
Australia’s Adelaide Airport said on Wednesday it evacuated passengers from one its terminals because of a fault with one its security machines.
Bougainville votes for independence from Papua New Guinea
The South Pacific islands of Bougainville have overwhelmingly voted to be independent from Papua New Guinea, the referendum commission said on Wednesday, in a historic poll that will trigger separation negotiations between the two governments.
Factbox: Bougainville poised to become world’s newest nation
The South Pacific archipelago of Bougainville on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to become independent of Papua New Guinea, becoming the world’s latest territory to seek secession.
Blast outside main U.S. base in Afghanistan wounds five
A suicide bomber in Afghanistan detonated explosives on Wednesday outside the United States’ main military base of Bagram in an attack that wounded five people, Afghan and NATO officials said.
