Australia jails PNG man for five years for people smuggling
An Australian court has jailed a Papua New Guinean man for five years for people smuggling after he was caught attempting to bring Chinese nationals onto an island off the far north coast of Queensland.
Australia flags removing citizenship from home-grown radicals
Australian nationals convicted of terror offences would be stripped of their citizenship if the government believes they are entitled to apply for residency from another country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison proposed on Thursday.
Guatemala ex-soldier sentenced to over 5,000 years for 1982 massacre
A Guatemalan court sentenced a former soldier to 5,160 years in prison on Wednesday for the massacre of 171 people in what is considered one of the worst atrocities in that country’s 36-year civil war.
Australian ‘Bali Nine’ drug mule released from prison after 13 years
Australian heroin courier Renae Lawrence was released from an Indonesian prison on Wednesday, the first of the so-called Bali Nine drug smuggling ring to gain freedom after the execution of the two ring leaders strained ties between the countries.
Strong hint of next Singapore PM expected in ruling party announcement
Singapore’s ruling party is set to unveil new positions within its top decision making body on Friday in what could give a strong hint toward the country’s future prime minister.
U.S., South Korea to reduce scope of ‘Foal Eagle’ military drill: Mattis
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Wednesday a joint military exercise with South Korea called “Foal Eagle” would be reduced in scope next year so it does not harm diplomatic efforts with North Korea.
Modi’s backers step up holy site dispute as Indian election looms
When a Hindu mob tore down a centuries-old mosque in the northern Indian town of Ayodhya 26 years ago, Haji Mahboob Ahmad says he and his family had to flee to a Muslim religious school miles away to escape deadly rioting.
Factbox: India’s Ayodhya temple dispute
The demolition of a centuries-old mosque by a Hindu mob in the Indian holy town of Ayodhya in late 1992 sparked deadly religious riots around the country, killing about 2,000 people.
Canada’s murder rate hits near 10-year high in 2017 on gun deaths
Canada’s murder rate in 2017 jumped by 7 percent to a near 10-year high and gun-related deaths were the highest in 25 years, Statistics Canada said on Wednesday.
Russia’s GRU spy agency chief dies after illness at 62: agencies
Chief of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency Igor Korobov died on Wednesday after “a serious and long illness,” Russian news agencies reported, citing the defense ministry.
