China is considering a plan for local governments nationwide to buy millions of unsold homes, Bloomberg News said on Wednesday, after a meeting of leaders of the ruling Communist Party called for efforts to clear mounting housing inventory. - REUTERS
The death toll from weekend flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia's West Sumatra province rose to at least 62 on Wednesday, authorities said, while rescuers were searching areas near rivers for more people who are still missing. - REUTERS
France will declare a state of emergency on the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Wednesday (May 15) after several young indigenous Kanak and a police official were killed in riots over electoral reform. - REUTERS
Chileans are bundling up with more clothes and clutching cups of hot coffee as the country faces the most intense cold snap in nearly 70 years, bringing winter weather in the middle of autumn. University of Santiago climatologist Raul Cordero says it's, "the longest cold snap ever recorded" in the capital Santiago. - REUTERS