AP, Bangkok
The head of Thailand’s oldest political party has joined a growing chorus of voices opposed to a new constitution proposed by the military government.
Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaviva said that he spoke as Democrat Party leader Wednesday, but that his remarks should not be taken as the party’s official stand because the government bans political party meetings. It also has decreed strict limits on criticizing its draft charter, which will be submitted to an Aug. 7 referendum.
India to buy 4 maritime spy planes
Reuters, New Delhi
India signed a contract on Wednesday to buy four maritime spy planes from Boeing Co for about $1 billion, defense and industry sources said, aiming to bolster the navy as it tries to check China’s presence in the Indian Ocean.
India has already deployed eight of the long-range P-8I aircraft to track submarine movements in the Indian Ocean and on Wednesday exercised an option for four more, two defense ministry officials and an industry source told Reuters.
Morocco arrests 52 suspected militants
Reuters, Rabat
Morocco said on Wednesday that it had arrested 52 suspected militants inspired by Islamic State and that it had foiled several attacks in the North African kingdom by seizing weapons and bomb-making materials.
It is the largest group arrested in years and the latest of a series of cells that the authorities say they have found plotting attacks inside and outside Morocco.
5 Philippine leaders unite to discuss China
AP, Manila
The new Philippine leader on Wednesday gathered four past presidents, most of whom have been politically at odds with one another, to discuss a unifying worry: their country’s territorial disputes with China.
President Rodrigo Duterte convened the National Security Council mainly to discuss his government’s strategy in negotiating with China a resolution to the long-seething South China Sea conflict, officials said.
Natural disasters kill 1,074 in China this year
PTI, Beijing
Natural disasters in China have killed at least 1,074 people and left 270 missing since the beginning of this year, including this weeks heavy rains, an official said today.
The most notable events included floods, heavy winds, hail and a range of geological disasters, said Yang Xiaodong, deputy head of the disaster relief department of the China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs.
46 people rescued from sinking boat off Alaska
AP, Anchorage
Two ships brought 46 people to safety after they abandoned their sinking fishing boat and boarded life rafts off Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
There were no reports of any injuries as the good Samaritan vessels rescued the crew members Tuesday evening, Coast Guard Petty Officer Lauren Steenson said.
