Russian ruble strengthens to 20-month high
At the opening bell on the Moscow Exchange, the ruble was trading at 57.96 against the dollar and 61.8 against the euro, which is the best for the Russian currency since July 2015.
Smuggler caught at Indian airport with 1.2kg of gold bars in rectum
The 36-year-old from Tamil Nadu in southern India arrived in Hyderabad Airport on Saturday on a flight from Singapore. After his discomfort was noticed, he was taken for questioning. Eight gold bars, weighing 800g in total, were found hidden in LED lamps in his luggage, the New Indian Express reported.
U.N. chief says Fayyad “right man” to be Libya envoy despite U.S. objection
DUBAI U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he believed former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad was the “right person” to be the world body’s envoy to Libya after the United States raised objections to the choice.
China upset at disputed islands mention in Japan-U.S. meeting
BEIJING China’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern on Monday after Japan got continued U.S. backing for its dispute with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea during a meeting between U.S.
New nuclear-capable missile test a success, North Korea says
SEOUL North Korea said on Monday it had successfully test-fired a new type of medium- to long-range ballistic missile the previous day, claiming advances in a weapons programme it is pursuing in violation of U.N.
Mafia, guns and clans: the big Libyan oil heist
This smuggled oil is making its way into Europe, and Libya authorities say it has cost the state $360 million so far, at a time when the country is producing only 715,000 barrels per day, down from its Ghaddafi heydays of 1.6 million bpd.
Russia’s Lavrov, U.S. Tillerson may meet in Germany, discuss Syria: Interfax
MOSCOW Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson may meet in Germany and discuss Syria, Interfax news agency quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying on Monday.