Australian state election will be trial run for PM’s federal contest in May
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Liberal Party faces a tight election contest in Australia’s largest state on Saturday, polls suggest, as a strong economy and a troubled opposition may not surmount voter anger over the removal of his predecessor.
Police in Kazakhstan detain dozens of anti-government protesters
Police detained dozens of anti-government protesters at rallies in Kazakhstan’s two major cities on Friday, days after the surprise resignation of veteran leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, Reuters correspondents reported.
Factbox: What we know about Boeing 737 MAX crash and what comes next
More than 300 Boeing 737 MAX jets have been grounded worldwide after two fatal crashes in the past five months in Ethiopia and Indonesia killed nearly 350 people.
Syria slams Trump, vows to recover Israeli-occupied Golan
Damascus condemned on Friday U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that it was time to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, vowing Syria would recover the area using “all available means”.
China urges subsidies to help disease-hit pig farms restock
China has urged rural governments to offer temporary subsidies to pig breeding farms and large-scale producers to help stabilize hog production, as fears grow about the impact of a severe disease outbreak on pork supplies.
New Zealand minister lands in Turkey, wants ‘substantial’ talks over Christchurch
New Zealand’s foreign minister arrived in Turkey early Friday for what he called “substantial” talks after comments made by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan over the killing of 50 people at mosques in Christchurch a week ago sparked a diplomatic spat b…
Timeline: Thailand’s turbulent politics over two decades
Thailand has seen two coups, dueling street demonstrations and political instability over most of the past two decades, much of it centered around the divisive figure of Thaksin Shinawatra.
Burkina Faso forces, jihadists execute dozens of civilians: HRW
Burkina Faso security forces have summarily executed more than 115 civilians since mid-last year during operations against Islamist militants who themselves have killed over a third of that number, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday.
Attackers throw explosive at Russian consul in Athens
Attackers on a motorcycle threw an explosive device, possibly a hand grenade, at the Russian consulate in Athens early on Friday, police said.
Friday sermon by the imam of New Zealand mosque attacked by gunman
The Muslim call to prayer sounded out over Christchurch and around New Zealand on Friday, as thousands gathered to remember the 50 people killed by a lone gunman at two mosques a week ago.
