Far-right German MP is severely beaten in Bremen

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel led condemnations on Tuesday of a "politically motivated" gang attack against a far-right German MP, an assault that underlined an increasingly tense political atmosphere.

Pompeo expected to appease allies in Middle East visit

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's Middle East tour is largely meant to appease Washington's allies in the region and dismiss their doubts and fears over President Donald Trump's rush decision to pull US troops from Syria, analysts said.

Russia: US spy suspect can be visited

Paul Whelan, the former US marine who was detained in Russia on accusations of espionage, is now known to actually hold four passports, and Russian authorities agreed to offer a meeting between him and a representative of any country in which he holds citizenship.

France to introduce tougher laws to handle undeclared protests

PARIS - France plans to introduce legislation to toughen sanctions on undeclared protests in response to violent "yellow vest" demonstrations, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Monday in a hardening of the government's stance on the unrest.

India, China dominate top cities index

Nine Chinese cities were ranked among the world's 20 most dynamic cities in the latest City Momentum Index released by real estate services and investment firm JLL.

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DPRK, US move closer to second meeting

Pyongyang demanded reciprocal sincerity from the United States, as the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States prepare for a possible second summit.

Kenya and China dismiss Mombasa port takeover rumors

Kenya and China have dismissed claims that the Port of Mombasa could be taken over by China if Kenya defaults on $3.21 billion loan repayment for an ongoing major railway project.

Japan introduces departure tax

TOKYO, Japan - Japan on Monday began collecting a departure tax of 1,000 yen ($9) from individual travelers departing the country.

Death toll in Philippines climbs to 126 after storm, landslide

MANILA, The Philippines - The death toll from a storm that devastated the Philippines shortly after Christmas rose to 126, authorities said Sunday, adding landslides caused by torrential rain were the top cause.

Thousands stung by jellyfish in Australia

SYDNEY, Australia - Highly venomous jellyfish have stung more than three thousand people on Australia's northeastern shores in just a few days, authorities said on Monday, forcing the closure of several beaches.

MPs tell May Brexit must have EU deal

With just over one week to go until the Parliamentary vote on British Prime Minister Theresa May's proposals to take the county out of the European Union at the end of March, more than 200 MPs from across the political spectrum have signed a letter urging her to rule out any possibility of a no-deal Brexit.