MALAYSIA’s government yesterday launched an inquiry into massive foreign exchange losses by the central bank more than two decades ago, in a probe that could lead to criminal prosecution for former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
THAILAND A prominent journalist was charged yesterday with sedition and violation of the country’s computer law for online postings concerning politics.
JAPAN The threat to Japan from North Korea has reached a “new stage” now that the country is capable of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile and its nuclear weapons program has advanced, a defense ministry report said yesterday. The security review came just a week after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revamped his Cabinet after a slew of politically costly scandals.
PAKISTAN’s banned militant group Jamaat-ud-Dawa is seeking to enter the political sphere by launching a new party. Saifullah Khalid, a religious scholar and longtime official of the group, said his party will work to make Pakistan “a real Islamic and welfare state” and that it’s ready to cooperate with like-minded parties.
AUSTRALIA Police in three countries arrested 17 people yesterday and seized nearly 2 tons of drugs in connection with what Australian authorities said was an effort by organized crime groups to transport large amounts of drugs into Australia.
IRAN After decisively winning re-election almost three months ago, Iran’s president yesterday proposed a new Cabinet for his second term that cuts out the hard-line Revolutionary Guard from controlling the Defense Ministry for the first time in nearly 25 years.
RUSSIA A Russian opposition activist has been released from prison after serving his term. Sergei Udaltsov has served four and a half years on charges related to his role in staging a May 2012 protest rally against President Vladimir Putin that ended in clashes with police.
FRANCE After more than three years without a first lady, the French don’t appear to be very eager to get a new one. President Emmanuel Macron wants to formalize the role of his wife Brigitte, but critics say it’s too costly. The president’s office is preparing a formal communication in coming days, Brigitte Macron’s office said yesterday.
US Jury selection has begun in the trial of two men charged with killing a Syracuse University student from China during a drug deal robbery last year. Prosecutors say the 23-year-old student from Qingdao, on China’s east coast, was killed during a drug deal at an apartment complex in suburban DeWitt last Sept. 30.
