India gold smuggling slowed by election seizures of cash, bullion
India’s gold smugglers have slowed their operations over worries their shipments will be caught up in seizures of cash, bullion, booze and drugs that are aimed at controlling vote-buying in the country’s national elections, industry officials told Reut…
China police detain 17 people after deadly chemical blast
Police have detained another 17 people in connection with a deadly pesticide plant blast that killed 78 people in eastern China last month, authorities said on Monday.
Iran leader approves tapping sovereign fund for flood relief
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has approved drawing up to $2 billion from the country’s sovereign wealth fund for relief and reconstruction after devastating floods, state media reported on Monday.
South African police halt shipment of rhino horns, arrest two
South African police have intercepted 167 rhino horns believed to be destined for Southeast Asia, in one of the biggest such hauls ever in the country.
Israel’s president starts consultations on prime minister nomination
Israel’s president began post-election consultations on Monday with political parties that will lead to his appointment of a candidate to form a government.
South Korea’s Moon pushes for summit with North Korea’s Kim despite nuclear standoff
South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in said on Monday he will pursue “in earnest” another summit with Kim Jong Un despite the North Korean leader’s recent criticism of Seoul’s self-proclaimed role as a mediator in stalled nuclear talks.
Red Cross seeks news on fate of three staff missing in Syria since 2013
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has appealed for information on the fate of three employees abducted in Syria more than five years ago and last known to have been held by Islamic State.
New Zealand PM Ardern’s approval rating rises to highest since taking office
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was praised at home and abroad for her handling of the Christchurch mosques shooting last month, received her highest approval rating since taking office in a widely watched poll on Monday.
Brexit talks with Labour more constructive than people think: UK’s Hunt
Talks between the British government and the opposition Labour Party to find consensus over a Brexit plan are more constructive than people think, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Monday.
Ecuador’s president says Assange tried to use its embassy to spy
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange repeatedly violated his asylum conditions and tried to use the Ecuadorian embassy in London as a center for spying, Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno told Britain’s Guardian newspaper.
