Philippines VP accepts Duterte’s offer of drugs war post
The vice president of the Philippines on Wednesday accepted President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer of a lead role in his brutal war on drugs, even though she expected to face resistance from an administration that would try to thwart her progress.
Seventeen killed in attack on Tajik border outpost, authorities say
Seventeen people were killed in an overnight shootout at an outpost on the Tajik-Uzbek border that was attacked by armed men wearing masks, Tajik authorities said on Wednesday.
Gunmen kill 15 in southern Thailand’s worst attack in years
Suspected separatist insurgents stormed a security checkpoint in Thailand’s Muslim-majority south and killed at least 15 people, including a police officer and many village defense volunteers, security officials said on Wednesday.
British backpacker allegedly strangled by man she met on Tinder, New Zealand court told
A British backpacker was allegedly strangled to death by a man she met on Tinder, prosecutors told a New Zealand court on Wednesday, in a case that has shocked the Pacific nation.
Malaysian who killed cat in dryer faces jail in new law’s first conviction
A Malaysian court handed a jail term of 34 months and a fine to a man who killed a cat by stuffing it into the dryer of a launderette, state news agency Bernama said, the first such conviction under a new animal welfare law.
Bougainville prepares for ‘peaceful, credible’ independence vote: official
An independence referendum in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) region of Bougainville will be peaceful and credible, the chief electoral official said on Wednesday, and it will help heal the wounds of a bloody, decade-long civil war.
Top U.S. diplomat says Moon-Abe meeting is ‘encouraging sign’ for countries’ relations
The United States was “very encouraged” by a recent meeting between the leaders of South Korea and Japan, a top U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday, as strained ties threatened to undercut three-way security cooperation on North Korea.
China supports more aggressive measures to tame Hong Kong unrest: official
China’s Vice Premier Han Zheng said on Wednesday Beijing supports more aggressive measures to tackle the unrest that has roiled the Chinese-ruled city of Hong Kong for more than five months.
China defense minister discusses Hong Kong, Taiwan with U.S.: state media
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe discussed Hong Kong, Taiwan, the South China Sea and Xinjiang with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Wednesday during a telephone call, state media said.
Knife-wielding man attacks Hong Kong pro-Beijing lawmaker
A knife-wielding man on Wednesday attacked a pro-Beijing lawmaker who has taken a tough stand against anti-government protests in Hong Kong, police said, as more demonstrations were planned for the Asian financial hub.
