China executes businessman linked to former security tsar
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese authorities on Monday executed a former mining tycoon connected to the eldest son of retired domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang, himself the focus of a high-profile corruption investigation, state media reported.
Al Shabaab militants kill another Somali lawmaker in Mogadishu
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – A Somali lawmaker was killed in Mogadishu on Monday when al Shabaab gunmen sprayed his car with bullets, police and the militants said, the sixth such attack since the start of 2014.
Amid ‘challenging’ times, Thailand and U.S. start scaled down drills
NAKHON NAYOK, Thailand (Reuters) – The United States said on Monday its relationship with longtime ally Thailand was going through a “challenging” period as the two sides began a major military exercise, scaled down over Washington’s concerns about the…
Italy’s Padoan says Europe needs to be bolder in boosting investment
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Europe needs to be bolder in boosting investment and needs to take policy steps that encourage private sector spending particularly in infrastructure, Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said on Monday.
Former South Korea spy chief gets jail for election meddling
SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean appeals court sentenced a former head of the national spy agency to three years in jail on Monday for meddling in the 2012 presidential election and helping Park Geun-hye win the vote.
Two bombs in Baghdad kill 15 civilians: sources
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – At least 15 people were killed in two bombings in and around Baghdad on Monday, police and medical sources said, the latest in a string of deadly attacks to hit the Iraqi capital in the last two weeks.
East Timor to decide on new prime minister this week
DILI (Reuters) – East Timor’s president is expected to decide on a new prime minister by the end of this week after accepting the resignation of independence hero Xanana Gusmao, the government said in a statement on Monday.
Israeli parties hunt ‘caviar vote’ before March election
ASHKELON, Israel (Reuters) – In this seaside city once ruled by the Greeks and Phoenicians but now largely populated by Russians, the talk in the caviar-stocked delis and jewelry stores is of upcoming elections and Israel’s powerful Russian vote.
Bruised Australian PM Abbott survives leadership challenge
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott survived a challenge to his leadership on Monday after his ruling Liberal Party voted down a motion to unseat him after weeks of infighting, but the attempted revolt appears likely to weaken his …
Skepticism, confusion over Australia submarine tender pledge
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Officials in Australia and Japan on Monday expressed scepticism and confusion over a pledge by Prime Minister Tony Abbott to give an Australian state-owned shipbuilder the option to tender for a major submarine contract, heightening …
