U.S. rejects Iran’s legal claim to recover $1.75 billion in frozen assets
The United States on Monday asked judges at the International Court of Justice to throw out a claim by Iran to recover $1.75 billion (1.5 billion euros) in national bank assets seized by U.S. courts.
Syrian rebels complete withdrawal of heavy weapons from Idlib frontline: Anadolu
Syrian rebels completed the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline in Idlib on Monday, under the deal between Russia and Turkey to create a demilitarized zone, the state-owned Anadolu news agency said.
Pakistan Islamists warn of ‘terrible consequences’ of blasphemy appeal
A hardline Pakistani Islamist group has warned of “terrible consequences” if a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy is granted leniency in an appeal heard on Monday, a case that has drawn global headlines and indignation.
Lavrov says Russians accused of spying in Netherlands were on ‘routine’ trip
Russia’s foreign minister said on Monday that four Russians detained and expelled by the Netherlands in April on suspicion of spying had been on a “routine” trip, adding that Moscow did not receive a Dutch complaint at the time of the incident.
Egypt confirms senior Islamist militant Ashmawy captured in Libya: military source
Egypt confirmed on Monday that senior Islamist militant Hisham al-Ashmawy was captured in Libya, an Egyptian military source told Reuters.
South African president’s office says ‘not aware’ of Nene request to be sacked
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokeswoman said on Monday his office was not aware of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene’s request to be relieved of his duties after he admitted to visiting the Gupta brothers.
Eastern Libyan forces arrest militant suspect wanted by Egypt
Eastern Libyan forces on Monday captured a former Egyptian special forces officer wanted by Cairo for suspected Islamist militant activities, a Libyan military spokesman said.
Macron seeks to regain footing with French cabinet reshuffle
French President Emmanuel Macron will reshuffle his cabinet this week after the resignation of his interior minister, as allies press for a broad rejig to draw a line under a tumultuous few months.
Tough new Bangladesh measure becomes law, seen curbing free speech
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Monday gave his assent to a controversial new law that media groups fear could cripple press freedom and curb free speech in the South Asian nation.
Economics of climate change win Nobel Prize for U.S. duo
Americans William Nordhaus and Paul Romer, pioneers in adapting economic theory to take better account of environmental issues and technological progress, shared the 2018 Nobel Economics Prize on Monday.
