World news

* Flooding caused by recent storms in Laos has killed at least 46 people while 97 others are missing and four people were injured, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee. * Thailand has launched a Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) project covering several of its southern provinces, namely Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon. * China and India pledged on August 21 to further strengthen ties between the two countries and their militaries. * The Brazilian military on August 21 arrested at least 70 people in a massive dragnet on drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro, local officials said. * Brazilian President Michel Temer criticized protectionist measures taken against steel imports, during a speech at the Brazilian Steel Congress on August 21 in Sao Paulo. He urged the steel industry to "protect" itself from foreign attacks. * Facebook said Tuesday it is removing more than 5,000 targeting categories to prevent misuse of its ad … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 22

* The Ghanaian government on August 20 announced that it would open a book of condolence to honor the memory of the former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan (would be at the Accra International Conference Center from Aug. 22 to 28). * Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Beijing on August 20. *Indonesian President Joko Widodo and visiting Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Nak-yeon met at the State Palace on August 20, calling for acceleration of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a minister said. *El Salvador President Salvador Sanchez Ceren said Tuesday (August 21) on his twitter account that his country has established diplomatic ties with China. * Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has survived a challenge to his leadership from Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on August 21. Turnbull won the leadership vote 48-35, strengthening his position in the short-term but leaves the door … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 21

* At least five people were killed and 40 others wounded as quakes measuring 6.5 and revised 6.9 magnitude rocked again Lombok Island in central Indonesia on August 19 morning and evening, a senior disaster agency official said on August 20. * Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to comprehensively strengthen the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Party building in the country's armed forces to ensure a solid political guarantee for the building of a strong military. * Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday (August 19) that his government would provide further support for the people in public housing and health care. * The upgraded heavy Mi-26T2V helicopter developed for the Russian Aerospace Forces has performed its first flight, Russian Helicopters affiliated with Russia's Rostec said Sunday. * Hajj season started on August 19 with the Day of Tarwiyah ritual with 1,966,461 pilgrims. * US National Security Advisor John Bolton … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 20

* The Republic of Korea (RoK) earmarked 3.47 billion won (US$3.1 million) to operate the liaison office with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) slated to open in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong later this month, Yonhap news agency reported Thursday (August 16). * Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that his country is willing to improve strategic communication with China and strengthen bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. * Paraguay's new president, Mario Abdo Benitez, was sworn in on August 15, vowing to create a strong and independent justice system to end impunity. * Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will pay a working visit to Singapore soon, according to an official announcement Thursday. * Brazil's Workers' Party (PT) on Wednesday officially registered ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as its presidential candidate with the nation's top election body, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). * The White House said on … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 16

* Turkey and Russia will take steps to "enhance strategic partnership," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on August 14. * The United States has no reasons to depict Russia as a threat, the Kremlin said Tuesday after the latest US defense bill stipulated measures to contain Russia's military development. * On August 14, German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the German city of Jena for the first European Union (EU) citizens' dialogue after her summer vacation. Subjects discussed ranged from EU foreign policy to migration and environmental law. * France will welcome 60 of the 255 migrants rescued at sea recent days as part of a voluntary "solidarity" arrangement between five European countries that vowed to ensure protection of people in need, French President Emmanuel Macron's office Elysee said on August 14. * The Spanish government has agreed to accept 60 of the 141 migrants who are currently on the rescue ship "Aquarius" after being picked up in the Mediterranean Sea, … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 15