Samsung scion Lee walks free as South Korea court suspends jail term
SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean appeals court on Monday suspended a jail sentence handed down to Samsung Group heir Jay Y. Lee, setting him free after a year’s detention amid a corruption scandal that brought down the former president.
German industrial workers and employers set to resume talks on Monday
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Industrial workers and employers in Germany planned on Monday to resume talks after a series of 24-hour strikes over pay and working hours last week, the IG Metall labor union said.
South Africa’s ANC to hold urgent meeting on Zuma’s future
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) will hold an urgent meeting on Monday to discuss President Jacob Zuma’s future as head of state after overnight talks with the scandal-plagued 75-year-old leader failed to s…
Singapore seeks to amend law after ‘too low’ megachurch fraud sentences
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore’s government is seeking to amend a law that led to shortened sentences for church leaders convicted of misusing millions of dollars, in a case that has gripped the city-state where there is little tolerance for corruptio…
Evangelical Christian wins Costa Rica first round vote, faces runoff
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Conservative evangelical Christian singer Fabricio Alvarado Munoz will face a center-left ruling party candidate in a runoff for Costa Rica’s presidency in April, after winning a first round on Sunday by sharply opposing gay marria…
‘Let’s talk’: Japan hopes low-key strategy averts U.S. trade flare-up
TOKYO (Reuters) – Economic talks between the United States and Japan, tackling topics from persimmons and potatoes to energy and infrastructure, have helped keep Tokyo clear of protectionist moves such as those that recently hit Chinese solar panels an…
Court hands Vietnam oil official another life sentence for corruption
HANOI (Reuters) – A high-profile former Vietnamese oil executive was sentenced to life in jail for embezzlement on Monday, two weeks after was also imprisoned for life on similar charges in a separate case, state media reported.
South Korea bans 36,000 foreigners from entering for Winter Olympics: Yonhap
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea has banned 36,000 foreigners from entering the country ahead of the Winter Olympics, citing security concerns, Yonhap News Agency said on Monday.
Conservative Christian leads Costa Rica presidential vote, run-off likely
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Conservative Christian singer and TV anchor Fabricio Alvarado held a strong lead in Costa Rica’s presidential election on Sunday, after galvanizing the campaign with his sharp opposition to gay marriage, but a run-off vote looked c…
Hopes for talks grow with North Korea’s ceremonial leader to visit South Korea for Olympics
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s ceremonial leader will make an unprecedented visit to South Korea this week, officials said on Monday, as hopes grew for high-level inter-Korean talks during the Winter Olympics that begin in four days.
