Doomed Indonesian plane with 189 on board had asked to return to base
An Indonesian aircraft with 189 people on board crashed into the sea on Monday as it tried to circle back to the capital, Jakarta, from where it had taken off minutes earlier, and there were likely no survivors, officials said.
Superyacht linked to Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal goes up for auction
A $250 million luxury yacht linked to a multi-billion dollar scandal at Malaysia’s state fund 1MDB has gone up for auction, a government lawyer said on Monday, the first sale of a major asset seized by investigating authorities.
China says leaders from 18 countries to participate in import fair next week
A total of 18 countries’ leaders will be coming to next week’s major import expo in China’s commercial hub of Shanghai, the government said on Monday, ranging from Russia and Pakistan to the tiny Cook Islands, though none from major Western nations.
Swedish Social Democrat leader Lofven gives up attempt to form government
Swedish Social Democrat leader Stefan Lofven gave up an attempt to form a government on Monday leaving no clear candidate for prime minister nearly two months after an indecisive election.
Meeting between Saudi, Turkish prosecutors has ended: Anadolu
The meeting between the Saudi public prosecutor, who is heading the investigation into the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, and the Istanbul chief prosecutor has ended, state-owned Anadolu news agency said on Monday.
Merkel will not seek re-election as CDU party chair: source
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told leaders of her Christian Democrats (CDU) that she will not seek re-election as party chairwoman at a conference in early December, a senior party source said on Monday.
State election losses further dent Merkel’s authority
German Chancellor Angela Merkel faced calls on Monday from her own conservatives to cede the party’s leadership, further eroding her authority after painful losses in a regional election.
Japanese Princess Ayako gives up royal status to marry commoner
Princess Ayako married commoner Kei Moriya on Monday at a traditional ceremony at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine, to become the latest female royal to leave Japan’s imperial family.
Philippines doubts ASEAN, China can come up with legally binding South China sea code
The Philippines’ new foreign minister said on Monday the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China would unlikely be able to arrive at a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea.
Suspected Islamic State fighters attack central Libyan town
At least four people were killed and seven kidnapped when suspected Islamic State fighters attacked a town in central Libya, a military official and lawmaker said.
