Thailand considers death penalty for officials convicted of graft

Thai officials convicted in corruption cases involving more than 1 billion baht ($28 million) could face the death penalty under a proposal approved on Monday by the National Reform Steering Committee.

Australian health minister stands down over travel expense claims

Australia's health minister temporarily stepped down on Monday while her travel expense claims are investigated. The scandal surrounding Minister Sussan Ley's expense claims could trigger the first reshuffle of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Cabinet since his government was re-elected six months ago.

Iran mourns ex-leader Rafsanjani

Iran began three days of mourning on Monday after the death of ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a pillar of the Islamic Revolution who became a leading counterweight to hardliners.

Israeli police arrest 9 following Palestinian truck-ramming attack

Israeli police stepped up security measures in Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem on Monday, searching trucks and arresting relatives of the Palestinian truck driver who rammed his vehicle into a crowd of Israeli soldiers at a Jerusalem tourist spot the previous day, killing four soldiers and injuring 17 others.

Johnson heads to US to meet Trump team

United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson flew to the United States on Sunday for talks with Donald Trump's advisers as London looks to map out the future of its key alliance under the new presidency.

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Shooting suspect may be executed

US authorities have charged the Iraq war vet accused of shooting five people dead and wounding six at a Florida airport with federal crimes that could carry the death penalty.

Assad optimistic over peace talks

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad told visiting French lawmakers on Sunday that he was "optimistic" about new peace talks planned for later this month, said a member of the delegation.

Nearly $100K raised for Chicago beating victim

An online effort to raise money for a mentally disabled man whose beating was broadcast live on Facebook in Chicago has brought in nearly $100,000.

At least 23 people die in cold snap across Europe

A cold wave across Europe has left at least 23 dead in the past two days, including several migrants and homeless people, authorities said on Saturday, with the frigid temperatures expected to continue through the weekend.

Mexico hunts man who shot diplomat

Mexican authorities are on the hunt for a gunman who was disguised as a female nurse when he shot and wounded a US consular official in the city of Guadalajara.

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