Sri Lanka strongman Rajapaksa set to become president after rival concedes defeat
Sri Lanka’s former wartime defense chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa was set to become president after his main rival conceded defeat on Sunday in an election that came months after bombings by Islamist militants threw the country into turmoil.
Hong Kong police say media officer hit by arrow in standoff with protesters
Hong Kong police said one of their media liaison officers was hit in the leg by an arrow on Sunday in a standoff with anti-government protesters around a barricaded university.
Taiwan president chooses running mate who Chinese paper wanted arrested
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has named as her running mate for 2020 elections a former premier who angered Beijing so badly last year with his support for the island’s formal independence that a major Chinese paper called for his arrest.
U.S., South Korea postpone military drills in bid to bolster North Korea peace effort
The United States and South Korea said on Sunday they will postpone upcoming military drills in an effort to bolster a stalled peace push with North Korea, even as Washington denied the move amounted to another concession to Pyongyang.
Iran’s Khamenei blames enemies for ‘sabotage’ in gasoline price protests
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday backed gasoline price increases that have sparked protests across Iran, blaming opponents of the Islamic Republic and foreign enemies for “sabotage”, state television reported.
Sri Lanka’s Premadasa accepts defeat at presidential poll; steps down from party position
Sri Lanka’s ruling party presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa on Sunday accepted defeat in the presidential poll and congratulated his rival former wartime defense chief, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Devastating bushfire conditions to worsen in Australia
Rising temperatures, lightning strikes and erratic winds are set to fan wildfires in Australia in the week ahead, officials said on Sunday, with emergency crews already working day and night to contain more than 130 blazes.
Khamenei blames counter-revolution, enemies for ‘sabotage’ in Iran gasoline price protests
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday backed gasoline price increases that have sparked protests across the country, blaming opponents of the Islamic Republic and foreign enemies for “sabotage”, state television reported.
U.S., South Korea postpone military drills to bolster North Korea peace effort
The United States and South Korea announced on Sunday they will postpone military drills scheduled for later this month in an effort to bolster a stalled peace push with North Korea.
China says outspoken Australian lawmakers should repent
Two Australian lawmakers who were denied entry to China for a study tour because of their outspoken criticism of Beijing must “repent and redress their mistakes” if they want to visit the country, China’s embassy in Canberra said.
