Record rains in southern Japan cause floods, kill two
Torrential rains caused floods and landslides on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on Wednesday, killing at least two people and prompting authorities to issue a rare emergency warning and evacuation orders for nearly 850,000 people.
At start of 1MDB trial, prosecution paint a tale of excess and abuse
Malaysian prosecutors on Wednesday said former prime minister Najib Razak abused his power to cover up the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars from the state-fund 1MDB and used the fund for self gratification.
At least one killed in gas explosion in Ukraine
At least one person died and seven were injured after part of an apartment building collapsed in the western Ukrainian town of Drohobych, Ukrainian state emergencies service said on Wednesday.
Ground shifts in Indonesia’s economy as conservative Islam takes root
Arie Untung, a former video jockey for the Indonesian offshoot of MTV, says he used to drink alcohol regularly and – back then – was a jeans-clad, spiky-haired rocker who was only a nominal Muslim.
South Korea summons Japan ambassador as export trade curbs take effect
South Korea summoned Japan’s ambassador to protest against a decision to remove Seoul’s fast-track export status, which took effect on Wednesday amid a deepening political and economic feud.
Exclusive: China denies Qingdao port visit for U.S. warship amid tensions
China has denied a request for a U.S. Navy warship to visit the Chinese port city of Qingdao in recent days, a U.S. defense official told Reuters on Tuesday, at a time of tense ties between the world’s two largest economies.
Salvadoran police used excessive force in 116 deaths: rights prosecutor
At least 116 people were killed by police in El Salvador in recent years in cases involving excessive use of force and abuse of authority, the country’s human rights prosecutor said in a report published on Tuesday.
Honduran president to inaugurate ‘diplomatic office’ in Jerusalem
Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez will travel to Jerusalem to inaugurate a “diplomatic office” in the city on Sept. 1, the Honduran government said in a statement on Tuesday.
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific warns against protest outside its premises
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways warned against what it described as an illegal protest planned outside its offices on Wednesday and that it had zero tolerance for “violent activities” and any staff who took part.
Canada’s ruling Liberals to target wireless bills in election: sources
Canada’s ruling Liberals will promise to help cut cell phone and internet bills in an upcoming election campaign amid widespread complaints about the cost of wireless communications, party sources said.
