Blast at busy Mogadishu checkpoint kills 13, injures dozens: witnesses
An explosion at a busy checkpoint in Somalia’s capital killed at least 13 people and injured dozens on Saturday, a local resident and a Reuters witness said, amid persistent insecurity in the Horn of Africa nation.
Hong Kong police paid $17 million in allowances related to protests
Hong Kong police have earned a total of HK$135 million in allowances during the past six months of anti-government protests, government figures show.
Two dead in fire at Russia’s Novatek oil and gas field: reports
Two people have been killed and one injured in a fire in an elevator at Russia’s Novatek northern oil and gas field, news agencies reported on Saturday citing emergency ministry officials.
Vietnam court sentences ex-minister to life in MobiFone corruption scandal
A court in Vietnam on Saturday sentenced a former information minister to life in prison after finding him guilty of taking $3 million in bribes in connection with a controversial deal at state telecoms firm MobiFone.
China offers new pre-election inducement to Taiwan with revised law
China’s largely rubber stamp parliament revised a law on Saturday to simplify investment procedures for Taiwan companies, in another attempt by Beijing to show goodwill to the Chinese-claimed island ahead of elections there on Jan. 11.
Mexico says Spanish diplomats’ cars blocked by Bolivia at La Paz embassy
Mexico’s government said Bolivian police had impeded the departure of Spanish officials visiting the Mexican ambassador in La Paz on Friday, widening a spat over Bolivia’s surveillance of its diplomatic facilities that has rumbled on for days.
Mexico president urges Bolivia to respect right of asylum
Mexico on Friday urged Bolivia’s new conservative government to respect its right to grant asylum to nine people at its embassy in La Paz, days after complaining that Bolivian government surveillance there has grown excessive.
Olivia Newton-John becomes a dame in UK New Year’s honors list
Britain has recognized its film-directing and cricketing stars in the New Year’s honors list, with a damehood for Olivia Newton-John and knighthoods for Sam Mendes, Steve McQueen and cricketer Clive Lloyd.
U.S. civilian contractor killed in Iraq base rocket attack: officials
A U.S. civilian contractor was killed in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base near the oil-rich city of Kirkuk on Friday, U.S. officials said.
Explosion at Kansas aircraft plant injures 15 people
At least 15 people were injured on Friday after a liquid nitrogen line exploded at a Textron Aviation plant near Wichita, Kansas, potentially setting back the launch of a new aircraft under development, county and company officials said.
