World news

*Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Thursday (August 23) that he and other political party leaders have agreed to form a Supreme Council for Consultations and Recommendations, which will serve as a consultation forum between the government and political parties on the matters of national interests. * China's top observatory on August 23 issued a blue alert for heavy rain from now to August 24, the lowest level in the country's four-tier warning system. Heavy rain is expected to hit parts of the northeast and southwest China, as well as the southeastern province of Fujian, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC). * The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s President Moon Jae-in ordered chiefs of local governments and ministers Thursday to maintain an emergency management stance as typhoon Soulik was set to make landfall on the Korean Peninsula. * Embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Thursday he would resign from the parliament if a second … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: August 23

* 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

* 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

* 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