IRAQ A series of car bombings across Iraq yesterday killed at least 36 people and wounded dozens as the government continued its efforts to combat extremism across the country. The largest bombing took place in the Shiite-majority town of al-Khales in eastern Diyala province. At least 12 people were killed in the attack and 30 were wounded when the car bomb tore through a commercial street.
SOUTH CHINA Sea Authorities in China and the Philippines say typhoon Mujigae that tore through the northern Philippines before roaring ashore in southern China has killed at least nine people and left dozens of fishermen missing.
MALAYSIA shuts most schools nationwide for two days to protect children from a thick, noxious haze caused by smoke from burning forests in neighboring Indonesia. The haze also spread to Thailand, the first time it has reached hazardous levels so far north.
BANGLADESH Police say they are questioning four people in connection with the second killing of a foreigner in Bangladesh last week — a Japanese agricultural worker described by his neighbors as a friendly farmer who occasionally joined gatherings at their village mosque.
MALDIVES A human rights lawyer says the imprisonment of former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed symbolizes a turn toward autocracy and extremism by a Muslim nation with the world’s highest per-capita level of recruitment to the Islamic State group. Amal Clooney (pictured) is part of an international legal team that vowed to apply “relentless” pressure on the Maldives government until Nasheed is freed.
INDONESIA Rescuers said they have found yesterday the wreckage of a small plane carrying 10 people that went missing on a domestic flight three days ago. The DHC-5 Twin Otter plane lost contact with air traffic controllers 11 minutes after taking off in good weather Friday from Masamba in South Sulawesi province.
PACIFIC RIM The United States and 11 other Pacific Rim countries have agreed to an ambitious and controversial trade pact that cuts trade barriers, sets labor and environmental standards and protects multinational corporations’ intellectual property. The agreement on the Trans Pacific Partnership was reached after marathon negotiating sessions in Atlanta through the weekend. Congress will have 90 days to review the agreement.
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