Germany and France cast doubt on Jan. 15 Ukraine summit
PARIS (Reuters) – Germany cast doubt on whether a four-way summit on the Ukraine crisis in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana on Jan. 15 would take place on Monday and France’s president said the meeting would depend on the likelihood of “new progress” being …
Islamist militants kill seven Malian soldiers in dawn attack
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Islamist gunmen killed at least seven Malian soldiers near the Mauritanian border, a local mayor said in Monday, in a dawn raid that illustrated continuing volatility two years after France helped take back territory seized by al Qae…
Violent incidents mount as Sri Lanka heads to presidential poll
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Three supporters of the challenger for Sri Lanka’s presidency were injured by unidentified gunmen on Monday, the latest in a series of violent incidents ahead of the South Asian island nation’s election this week.
Bahrain extends detention of opposition leader: statement
MANAMA (Reuters) – The head of the Bahrain’s main Shi’ite Muslim opposition group was remanded in custody for a further 15 days on Monday in a move that could further inflame sectarian tensions in the Kingdom.
Cambodia’s political prince makes comeback, claims PM’s support
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Cambodia’s Prince Norodom Ranariddh returned on Monday to lead a party that ditched him eight years ago, in a comeback aimed at reviving royalist support to sway a 2018 election expected to be the country’s closest yet.
Saudi crown prince assures cabinet on King’s health: SPA
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud offered assurances at a cabinet meeting on Monday about the health of King Abdullah, who was hospitalized last week, state news agency SPA said.
Hopes fade for ship survivors off Vietnam as weather hampers search
HANOI (Reuters) – Bad weather hampered a search on Monday for 16 Philippine seamen missing since their cargo ship sank off Vietnam, a Vietnamese rescue official said.
Two suspected rhino poachers shot dead in South Africa’s Kruger Park
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Two suspected rhino poachers were shot dead on Monday after they opened fire on rangers in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, a park spokesman said.
China protests after suspected North Korean army deserter kills four
SEOUL (Reuters) – China said on Monday it had lodged a protest with Pyongyang after media reports said a North Korean army deserter killed four Chinese nationals during a robbery in the Chinese border city of Helong late last month.
First transgender mayor elected in central India: media
NEW DELHI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A city in central India has elected the country’s first transgender mayor, nine months after a court ruled that transgender be recognized as a legal third gender, local media reported.
