Suga elected Japan PM amid virus, economic woes Yoshihide Suga, the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, was elected Japan's prime minister by parliament on Wednesday, with his immediate focus to be reviving the battered economy while keeping the novel coronavirus under control.

China's activities in Hoang Sa, Truong Sa without permission violate Việt Nam’s sovereignty: spokeswoman

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng on Monday reiterated Vietnam’s consistent view that all activities in Việt Nam’s Hoàng Sa (Paracels) and Trường Sa (Spratlys) without its permission violate the country’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos.

North Korea's Kim says nuclear deterrent crucial North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons guarantee its safety, state media reported Tuesday, signalling once again that it will not give up its arsenal.

Australia to revamp defences Australia announced an assertive new defence strategy on Wednesday, beefing up its long-range strike capabilities and cyber-warfare efforts.

Nuclear powers modernising, arms control outlook 'bleak': report Nuclear powers continue to modernise their arsenals, researchers said on Monday, warning that tensions were rising and the outlook for arms control was "bleak".

US and Russia to resume nuclear talks Russia has called on the United States to make a “positive" proposal as the powers open talks on a major disarmament treaty, warning that US insistence on including China could scuttle efforts.

Israel says 'successfully' tested ballistic missiles Israel on Tuesday said it has successfully tested two ballistic missiles in the Mediterranean, amid tensions with Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Israel vows to pursue Syria operations until Iran leaves

Israel will keep up its operations in Syria until its arch enemy Iran leaves, Defence Minister Naftali Bennett said Tuesday after strikes on Iranian-backed militias and their allies killed 14 fighters.

Syrian air defences down Israeli missiles: state media Syrian air defences downed Israeli missiles over the ancient city of Palmyra in Homs province on Monday, state media reported.

Saudi-led coalition declares 2-week coronavirus ceasefire in Yemen The Riyadh-led military coalition fighting Yemen's Huthi rebels has declared a two-week ceasefire in the country starting on Thursday in a bid to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus.