China to invest $140 billion by 2020 to relocate poor citizens
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will invest 946.3 billion yuan ($140 billion) by 2020 to relocate its poorest citizens from remote, inland regions to more developed areas, the state planner said on Monday.
South African state prosecutor drops fraud charges against Gordhan
PRETORIA (Reuters) – South Africa’s state prosecutor dropped fraud charges on Monday against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, the latest twist in a police investigation that has rattled financial markets in the continent’s most industrialized economy.
Woman at center of South Korea political crisis begs forgiveness
SEOUL (Reuters) – The woman at the center of a South Korean political scandal begged forgiveness on Monday as she arrived to meet prosecutors investigating allegations she used her friendship with President Park Geun-hye to influence state affairs and …
Exclusive: Thailand ‘making preparations’ for December 1 succession
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand is making preparations for Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to ascend the throne on Dec. 1, two senior military sources with knowledge of the matter said.
Iraqi forces resume offensive towards eastern Mosul
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi troops resumed on Monday a coordinated offensive towards Mosul, the last major city held by Islamic State, targeting the eastern bank of the Tigris river that divides the city, military officials said.
Pakistan’s top court blocks execution of schizophrenic murder convict
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Monday blocked the execution of a paranoid schizophrenic murder convict pending a review of an earlier ruling that his condition was not a permanent mental disorder and therefore not legally relevant, h…
Pakistan court clears way for Imran Khan to hold anti-government protest
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – A Pakistani court on Monday granted opposition politician Imran Khan permission to hold anti-government protests in the capital this week, but warned that demonstrations should not disrupt life for citizens, media reported.
Australian PM defends proposal to permanently bar boat people
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull defended on Monday a proposal to ban asylum seekers who arrive illegally by boat from ever entering Australia again, rejecting criticism from rights lawyers who say it would breach the U.N. Refugee Con…
British banker’s defense cites sexual disorder in HK double murder trial
HONG KONG (Reuters) – British investment banker Rurik Jutting was a narcissistic sexual sadist trying to cover a “fragile” shell after schoolboy abuse, according to his defense case against charges of murdering two Indonesian women in his Hong Kong apa…
Venezuela’s Maduro meets opposition at Vatican-led talks
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s unpopular socialist leader Nicolas Maduro shook hands with opposition leaders at Vatican-convened talks on Sunday, but his wary foes threatened to boycott further meetings if some demands were not quickly met.
