PM seeks to calm fears over security

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn began getting official briefings from aides of President Park Geun-hye on Monday, after assuming presidential authority as a caretaker following Park's impeachment by Parliament.

New prime minister is steady, not flashy

There's nothing flashy about Bill English. Critics say the former finance minister and farmer who became New Zealand's prime minister on Monday is downright boring. But English hopes his steadiness and experience in handling the economy will prove reassuring when New Zealanders go to the polls next year.

Police raids across nation after bombing attacks

Turkish police detained nearly 200 officials of pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, or HDP, on Monday over alleged links to Kurdish militants after deadly twin weekend blasts claimed by a radical Kurdish group.

Army takes Aleppo district from rebels, battle in 'final phase'

The Syrian army captured a major district of Aleppo on Monday from rebel fighters, now confined to a small pocket of their former bastion in the city's east.

IMF chief Lagarde stays confident ahead of negligence trial

IMF chief Christine Lagarde went on trial in France on Monday over a massive state payout to a flamboyant tycoon when she was finance minister in a case that risks tarnishing her career.

World's longest tunnel opens regular service

Regular rail service through the world's longest tunnel began on Sunday, carrying passengers deep under the Swiss Alps from Zurich to Lugano.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Scapegoating China means retreat from WTO promise

A concerted effort is being made by some Western powers and Japan, their local ally in Asia, to continue using the "proxy method" for measuring the price of imports from China.

Human rights for all

Saturday was Human Rights Day, so it is a good time to reflect on the common goal of human rights for all.

Monopoly prices for medical devices pose threat to the interest of patients

THE CHINA UNIT of US company Medtronic, a leading supplier of high-end medical devices, was fined 119 million yuan ($17.3 million) for monopolistic practices, the National Development and Reform Commission announced on Wednesday. Beijing News commented on Saturday:

True graduate employment rates required

AS CHINA EXPECTS a total of 7.95 million college students to graduate in 2017, the Ministry of Education recently issued a notice not only encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship and innovation among them, but also banning universities from forcing graduates to sign fake employment contracts. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Friday:

Clash between law enforcers damages their credibility

A MEMBER of the traffic police and an urban management officer in Cixian county, North China's Hebei province, had a quarrel last month that escalated into a physical confrontation between the two departments. Beijing News commented on Saturday: