Iran has not ruled out talks to end nuclear dispute, says official
Iran said on Monday that it had not closed the “door to negotiations” in efforts to resolve a dispute over its nuclear agreement with world powers that has escalated steadily since the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018.
Philippine volcano recharging, scientist says, as shops, hotels told to keep shut
A restive volcano in the Philippines has a high risk of eruption as it is “recharging” with fresh magma and rising emissions of toxic gas, a top scientist said on Monday, while authorities ordered commercial establishments to stay shut.
China confirms spread of new virus as cases surge
An outbreak of a new coronavirus in China has spread to more cities, Chinese authorities said on Monday, as the number of patients tripled and a third person died, stoking concerns about containment of the illness.
Australian budget surplus in doubt as bushfire funding boosted
Australia on Monday boosted emergency funding for small businesses hit by bushfires that have ravaged the country for months, as the mounting costs of the disaster cast doubt on the government’s ability to deliver a promised budget surplus.
Large migrant caravan prepares to enter Mexico from Guatemala
A large caravan of Central Americans was preparing to cross the Guatemalan border into Mexico on Monday, posing a potential challenge to the Mexican government’s pledge to help the United States contain mass movements of migrants.
Five killed in Russian hotel after boiling water floods basement
Five people died in the Russian city of Perm on Monday after a hot water pipe exploded in the night and flooded a basement hotel room with boiling water, the regional investigative committee said.
Collapse of footbridge over Indonesia river kills at least nine
A footbridge across a river swollen by heavy rains collapsed on Indonesia’s island of Sumatra, drowning at least nine people who were swept away by a strong current, with one person missing, disaster mitigation officials said.
South Korea confirms first case of new coronavirus in Chinese visitor
South Korea reported on Monday its first confirmed case of a new coronavirus that has broken out in China, South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
In Olympics-heavy policy speech, Japan PM says Games mark new era for nation
Six months before the Tokyo Olympics open, the Games are already inescapable in Japan – including dominating Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s policy speech to parliament on Monday.
Japan’s Abe strikes conciliatory note on South Korea, row may be easing
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that South Korea was its “most important neighbor” and that the two shared basic values, taking a conciliatory tone toward the country that has been locked in a bitter row with Tokyo for over a year.
