Death toll from Indonesia quake, tsunami rises to 1,407: agency
The confirmed death toll from an earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island has risen to 1,407, the disaster mitigation agency said on Wednesday.
Australia scraps tampon tax as new PM seeks to woo female voters
Australia will remove a controversial sales tax on women’s sanitary products, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Wednesday, a move widely seen as an effort by the center-right government to win favor with female voters before an election due by May.
Indonesia’s Widodo makes second visit to quake city as aid effort gears up
Indonesian President Joko Widodo made a second visit to earthquake-devastated Sulawesi island on Wednesday, saying efforts to help survivors were gearing up and he was keen to see economic activity resume.
Thailand will stick to 2019 date for general election, deputy PM says
There will be no delays to a general election planned in Thailand for 2019, the deputy prime minister said on Wednesday, amid the concerns of government critics and the opposition that it could be pushed back.
With an eye on Russia, U.S. pledges to use cyber capabilities on behalf of NATO
The United States is expected to announce in the coming days that it will use offensive and defensive cyber capabilities on behalf of NATO if asked, a senior Pentagon official said, amid concerns about Russia’s increasingly assertive use of its cyber c…
Malaysia again questions former PM and wife in 1MDB probe
Malaysian authorities once again called in former Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, for questioning on Wednesday in an investigation into alleged graft linked to state fund 1MDB.
Trump: I told Saudi king he wouldn’t last without U.S. support
President Donald Trump made an undiplomatic remark about close ally Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, saying he warned Saudi Arabia’s King Salman he would not last in power “for two weeks” without the backing of the U.S. military.
Colombia will delay purchase of anti-aircraft missile system: minister
Colombia has no immediate plans to buy an anti-aircraft missile defense system to modernize its air force due to budget constraints, the defense minister said on Tuesday.
Friends of Saudi dissident worried by absence at Istanbul consulate
Two people close to Saudi political commentator Jamal Khashoggi, who left his country for the United States last year fearing retribution for his critical views, are concerned about his whereabouts, saying he failed to emerge from Saudi Arabia’s consul…
Brazil investors cheer as support rises for Bolsonaro’s election bid
Brazilian markets surged on Tuesday as stronger polling for far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro and a Congressional farm caucus endorsement boosted expectations that he may block the leftist Workers Party from returning to power.
