Death toll in Russia shopping mall fire reaches 56
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The death toll from a fire in a Russian shopping mall has reached 56 people, the Investigative Committee, the state body that handles major crimes, said on Monday.
Beijing festival pulls award-winning gay film amid content squeeze
BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – A Chinese film festival has pulled award-winging gay romance “Call Me By Your Name” from its program, the movie’s distributor said on Monday, reflecting China’s mottled relationship with gay themes in the creative arts.
Egyptians begin voting in contest set to hand Sisi second term
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptians began voting on Monday in a presidential election set to deliver an easy win for incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, with turnout the main focus after all serious opposition withdrew complaining of repression.
Nearly half of Japanese think Abe should quit over land sale scandal: poll
TOKYO (Reuters) – Nearly half of Japanese voters believe Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should quit to take responsibility over a cronyism scandal and cover-up that have sent his support sliding, according to an opinion poll released on Monday.
Taiwan scrambles jets as China’s air force holds drill near island
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan sent aircraft on Monday to shadow China air force fighter jets as they flew through the Bashi Channel to the south of the island, its defense ministry said, the latest such incident to add to tension between Taipei and Beijing…
North Korean foreign minister plans Russia visit, TASS reports
MOSCOW (Reuters) – North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho plans to visit Russia in mid-April, Russia’s TASS news agency reported on Monday, citing an unnamed diplomatic source.
Israeli police question Netanyahu in telecom corruption case
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday over his alleged dealings with the country’s largest telecommunication company, Israel Radio said, in one of three corruption cases weighing on the leader’s pol…
At least 53 die in Russia shopping mall fire
MOSCOW (Reuters) – At least 53 people were killed by a fire in a shopping mall in the Siberian city of Kemerovo, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said on Monday.
Philippine defense chief says China sea dispute still a challenge
MANILA (Reuters) – The territorial dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea remained a security challenge despite an improvement in bilateral ties, the Philippine defense chief said on Monday as he accepted three maritime surveillance planes from …
U.S. sanctions Pakistani companies over nuclear trade
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – The United States has imposed sanctions on seven Pakistani companies over suspicion they have links to the nuclear trade, potentially hurting Pakistan’s ambitions to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
