STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A huge increase in arms imports by Southeast Asian countries in the past five years could threaten the region's stability, a Swedish-based research institute said on Monday. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in its annual report on Monday that arms imports by Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia had leapt by 84 percent, 146 percent and ...

Developing countries have embarked on a dangerous "arms race" with huge sums ploughed into combat aircraft in unstable parts of the world in the past five years, a top defence think-tank has said. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in an annual report to appear Monday that global arms sales had soared 22 percent in the period from ...

Australia opened a fresh probe into an alleged navy sex betting ring on Friday after an initial investigation was scrapped because of bias. Opening submissions told of a "predatory culture" on HMAS Success, where sailors are accused of maintaining a list -- known as The Ledger -- that put dollar values on sexual conquests with female colleagues. Douglas Campbell, senior counsel for ...

CANBERRA (Reuters Life!) - With its beaches, outdoor lifestyle and friendly schools, Australia has been voted the world's best country to bring up children by expatriate parents working there, an HSBC bank survey shows. Australia provided the best environment for healthy and active children, with more than three quarters of expat kids spending more time outdoors than in their home ...