Opposition, West reject Assad ‘peace plan’
A defiant speech by President Bashar al-Assad calling for peace in Syria on his terms has met rejection by the opposition and internationally, with only his ally Iran on Monday backing his stance. Full storySyria refugees in Jordan do deals in desert
Sri Lanka court stops impeachment of top judge
Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal Monday ordered parliament to drop its impeachment of the country’s top judge, amid international concern for judicial independence on the island. The court issued an order quashing... Full story‘Saturated fats tied to falling sperm counts in Danes’
Saturated fats, like those found in rich cheeses and meats, may do more than weigh men down after a meal - a Danish study also links them to dwindling sperm counts. Researchers, whose report appeared... Full storyAbbas orders official use of ‘State of Palestine’
Kuwait jails second tweeter for insulting emir
Kuwait’s lower court on Monday handed a two-year jail term to an opposition tweeter for allegedly insulting the emir in the second such sentence, a human rights activist said. ‘Ayyad al-Harbi was sentenced to two... Full storyEcuador ranked top nation for US, Canadian retirees
With its low cost of living, balmy climate and cheap property prices, Ecuador has been ranked the top foreign retirement destination for North Americans for the fifth consecutive year. Full storyViolence in N Ireland continues
Violence flared for the fourth night running in Northern Ireland on Sunday, hours after politicians and Church leaders held talks in a bid to quell a row over the flying of the British flag. Full storyPakistan lodges protest over ‘unprovoked’ India attack
Pakistan lodged a formal protest with India on Monday over what it said was an unprovoked attack on a border post that killed one Pakistani soldier and wounded another. Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire... Full storyDutch Patriot missiles head for Turkey’s Syria border
The Netherlands’ Patriot missile batteries on Monday began their journey to fellow NATO member Turkey where they are to defend civilians near the border from a possible Syrian attack. Full storyProtesters gather at China newspaper in censorship row
Protesters gathered Monday at the offices of a Chinese newspaper at the centre of a censorship row, in a rare public demonstration in support of media freedom in the country. Hundreds of people were outside... Full story$1.4m of rhino horn seized in Thailand, Vietnam
More than 27 kilos of Rhino horn worth an estimated $1.4 million has been seized by airport officials in Thailand and Vietnam, official sources said on Monday. A 56-year-old Vietnamese man was arrested on Sunday... Full storyIslamists strengthened in Egypt reshuffle
The Muslim Brotherhood has strengthened its position in the Egyptian government following the latest government reshuffle, which saw members secure three more portfolios, media reports said on Monday. Full storyAustralia bracing for ‘worst ever’ fire danger
