Trump asks Japan to hike payments for U.S. troops to $8 billion: Foreign Policy
U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Japan to quadruple annual payments for U.S. forces stationed there to around $8 billion, Foreign Policy reported, part of Washington’s efforts to press its allies to increase their defense spending.
Sri Lankans vote in big numbers for a new president to heal divisions after attacks
Sri Lankans packed into polling stations on Saturday to choose a new president for the island-nation still struggling to recover from Easter Sunday attacks on hotels and churches that have heavily weighed on its tourism-dependent economy.
China’s PLA soldiers help clean up Hong Kong streets as protests rumble on
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers in shorts and t-shirts made a surprising appearance in some Hong Kong streets on Saturday, briefly helping residents clean up debris and barricades after anti-government protests blocked roads.
China’s PLA soldiers seen helping clean up streets after Hong Kong protests: RTHK
Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldiers in shorts and t-shirts joined pro-China residents in Hong Kong on Saturday to clean up barricades and debris after anti-government protests blocked roads, according to broadcaster RTHK.
Turkey says it bought Russian S-400s to use them, not put them aside
Turkey bought S-400 missile defense systems from Russia to use them, not put them aside, the head of the Turkish Defense Industry Directorate said on Saturday, days after talks between President Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff calls for Gulf Arab unity to counter Iran
United States Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein on Saturday pressed Gulf Arab states to reconcile differences and unify military capabilities as tensions with Iran simmer.
Turkey replaces four more Kurdish mayors over alleged terror links
Turkey removed four more mayors from their posts on Saturday as part of a widening government crackdown against the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), and replaced them with state appointees.
Serbia’s Vucic admitted to hospital with heart problems
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has been admitted to a hospital after experiencing heart problems, his office said on Saturday.
Bushfires rage across Australia’s east and west as danger rises
Dozens of wild fires burned across broad swaths of Australia’s east and west on Saturday and firefighters scrambled to shore up defenses ahead of hotter weather and stronger winds expected to bring more danger in the coming days.
Palestinian rockets, Israeli airstrikes jolt tenuous Gaza truce
Palestinian militants fired two rockets deep into southern Israel from Gaza on Saturday, and the Israeli military responded with a number of air strikes on militant targets, shaking an already tenuous truce.
