Ten members of the Turkish security forces were killed today in two separate attacks in southeastern Turkey blamed on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), local media reported.
	Two soldiers and two village guards - locals employed to combat Kurdish militants - were killed and six others wounded in a roadside bomb attack in Mardin province, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
	The bomb, planted by the PKK, exploded when a vehicle carrying the forces passed by, it said. The authorities have launched an operation to hunt down the "terrorists" who fled, it added.
	In a separate incident, six Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with the PKK on a highway by the town of Uludere near the Iraqi border, the private Dogan news agency reported.
	Another soldier was wounded in clashes that erupted at a checkpoint near a prison on the highway, according to Dogan.
	The PKK, designated as a terror group by Turkey and its Western allies, has waged a bloody campaign against the ...

At least 10 Turkish troops killed in PKK attacks: media

PTI Automatic

A Philippine passenger jet heading to Japan was forced to turn back today after smoke was detected in the aircraft, while the wheel of a second plane caught fire after it aborted taking off from a separate airport, an aviation official said.
	The first incident involved a Philippine Airlines flight to Haneda which had just taken off from Manila, said Eric Apolonio, spokesman for the civil aviation authority.
	"Apparently there was information that the pilot detected smoke in the cabin. So as part of safety measures, the pilot had to return to the ground," he told AFP.
	The Airbus A340-300 plane, carrying 222 passengers and 13 crew was forced to return to Manila 20 minutes after taking off, a PAL statement said.
	PAL said there was no panic and the passengers all disembarked safely and would travel to Japan on another aircraft.
	Meanwhile, an ATR 72-500 aircraft from budget carrier Cebu Pacific was taking off from the central island of Cebu when instruments warned of an oil problem in .

Two Philippine airliners abort flights due to problems

Former IMF chief Rodrigo Rato went on trial today accused of overseeing a "corrupt system" that helped him and other executives misuse funds when he was the boss of two of Spain's top banks.
	Protesters shouted "thief" and "fraud" at the former economy minister and deputy prime minister as he arrived at the courthouse outside Madrid.
	Rato is standing trial with 64 other former executives and board members at Caja Madrid and Bankia, whose near-collapse sparked an EU bailout of Spain's financial sector.
	Rato, 67, entered the courthouse without saying a word for the trial, which is expected to last until December.
	Uncovered in 2013 by a journalist who saw a hacked email alluding to "black credit cards," the case threatens to land the onetime star of the ruling conservative Popular Party (PP) in jail and with a hefty fine.
	It is also another thorn in the PP's side after repeated failed attempts to form a government following two inconclusive elections, due to a lack of support that is 

Ex-IMF boss Rato on trial over bankers' luxury sprees

A Bangladesh court today ordered banks to freeze the assets of the owner of a factory hit by a deadly blaze, as firefighters pulled three more bodies from the rubble to take the toll to 39.
	The High Court made the order after rights organisations filed a writ alleging basic safety measures had not been taken and demanding compensation for workers and bereaved relatives.
	Around 100 people were working at Tampaco Foils Limited factory on September 9 when a fire caused by an explosion in the boiler room tore through the four-storey building.
	It was Bangladesh's worst such disaster since the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment complex in 2013 that killed more than 1,100 people.
	"The court asked that the Tampaco owner's accounts be frozen for three months," said Mahbuba Akhter, spokeswoman for one of the rights groups, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust.
	Relatives of the victims have already filed a private murder case against the owner, who remains at large, and the government ...

Bangladesh court freezes assets of owner of collapsed plant

Saudi Arabia today executed an Ethiopian woman convicted of killing a Saudi child, the interior ministry said.
	It was the 124th execution of a foreigner or Saudi this year in the kingdom, according to an AFP tally of ministry statements.
	Zamzam Abdullah Boric was put to death in Riyadh after being found guilty, the ministry said.
	Boric cut the girl's throat "and left her in the bathroom until she died", the ministry said, without giving a motive for the crime or stating the Ethiopian's occupation.
	Ethiopians are among the millions of expatriates employed in the oil-rich kingdom. Many work as domestic helpers.
	Most people put to death in Saudi Arabia are beheaded with a sword.
	Saudi Arabia has a strict Islamic legal code under which murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy are all punishable by death.
	Amnesty International says the kingdom carried out at least 158 death sentences in 2015, making it the third most prolific executioner after Iran and ...

Saudi executes Ethiopian for murdering a child

It was just a small boxed notice in a national daily, yet it spoke amply about a father's pride and parenthood's tougher moments.
	In it, 56-year-old Branko Djuric told the world he was sorry for doubting his newly-graduated son's ability to complete his higher education.
	"I apologise to my son Ilija Djuric for not believing that he could pursue a degree at the faculty of electrical engineering," said the notice published at the weekend in the daily Politika.
	The apology was widely shared and discussed on social media in the Balkan country.
	"Ilija Djuric, you're my hero of the day," said one Facebook user.
	"I hope I'll be able to do the same," wrote another parent of a struggling student in Serbia, where it is normal for youngsters to spend up to a decade completing their degree.
	Seeing Ilija struggle in his first year at university, Branko Djuric, 56, told his son he thought he would be unable to finish his studies, the father explained to local media following the ...

Serbian dad takes out ad to apologise to son

A man in his sixties opened fire on shoppers outside a supermarket near Paris today, severely injuring two people before fleeing the scene, police sources said.
	Police surrounded the home of the attacker, where he holed up after shooting a 57-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man in what prosecutors called a "private dispute".
	The shooter was already known to police for common law offences.

Man in 60s wounds two in France supermarket shooting

Several injured in Houston mall shooting, suspect shot:

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been forced to take a rest from her state duties after becoming unwell during a state trip abroad, her office said today.
	The 71-year-old was diagnosed with gastritis after returning from a visit to Britain and the US, her first trip to her Western allies since taking office in March.
	Pictures of her being pushed through Yangon airport in a wheelchair posted on social media sparked concern about the Nobel Laureate's health and quickly went viral.
	"She feels weak as she did not have much time to rest during the trip," her office said in a statement.
	"She has a stomach ache as she did not have time to have regular meals," it added, adding that she "just needs to rest for a while".
	Suu Kyi's health has long been a topic of speculation in Myanmar, where she is deeply revered after decades leading the struggle against the former military junta.
	Since her release in 2011 from long years under house arrest she has kept a notoriously ...

Myanmar's Suu Kyi unwell after trip to US, UK

A Singapore firm headed by a scion of one of Asia's richest families has bought a 49 per cent stake in Rolling Stone, with plans to diversify the iconic magazine into new business including live events and merchandising.
	BandLab Technologies, a music and technology start-up headed by 28-year-old Kuok Meng Ru, bought the stake for an undisclosed sum and will partner current owners Wenner Media, the firms said in a statement yesterday.
	Rolling Stone International, a new subsidiary to be headed by Kuok, will organise events including concerts, and develop merchandising and hospitality services, Bloomberg News reported.
	Rolling Stone International will "build on the brand's worldwide appeal and recognition", the  statement added.
	BandLab will have no involvement in the editorial side of the magazine, and will not have a stake in Wenner Media, Bloomberg reported.
	Kuok is the son of Singapore palm oil magnate Kuok Khoon Hong -- founder of Wilmar International, the industry's biggest ...

Singapore scion buys 49 per cent stake in Rolling Stone

Tens of thousands of unionised workers at South Korea's Hyundai Motor staged their first full strike today for more than a decade after negotiations over a wage increase stalled.
	Nearly 50,000 workers at Hyundai Motor's three plants across the country -- including the main one in the southern city of Ulsan -- walked off the job throughout Monday, said a spokesman for its labour union.
	The day-long stoppage is the first full strike at the company since 2004.
	The workers would also stage a six-hour partial strike from Tuesday to Friday, the union spokesman said.
	Hyundai's union has staged partial strikes every year since 2012, including nearly 20 such stoppages this year, demanding higher wages and better benefits.
	The latest demands from workers include an wage increase of 7.2 per cent as well as bonuses for employees that would in total be worth 30 percent of last year's net profit.
	Hyundai is South Korea's biggest automaker and, along with its smaller affiliate Kia, forms the ..

Hyundai car workers start first full strike in 12 years

China has sent fighter planes for the first time over a strait near Japan, the two governments said today, after Tokyo announced it may patrol alongside the US in the disputed South China Sea.
	More than 40 Chinese military aircraft on Sunday traversed the Miyako Strait between Japan's Miyako and Okinawa Islands, to carry out training in the West Pacific, according to a statement on China's defence ministry website.
	The Sukhoi Su-30 fighters, bombers and refuelling aircraft did not violate Japanese airspace.
	Japan's defence ministry said it was the first time Chinese fighters had passed over the strait.
	The drill is aimed at "testing far sea combat capabilities", the Chinese statement said. It follows China's first military flight, carried out by spy planes, over the Miyako Strait last year.
	The move comes after Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada said earlier this month that Tokyo would increase its engagement in the South China Sea through joint training cruises with the US ..

China flies military planes over strait near Japan

The British division of Aldi is ramping up plans for expansion, unaffected by the shock Brexit referendum, as the German discount retailer enjoys booming demand.
	Aldi UK announced today that it will invest USD 389 million(346 million euros) to revamp its stores over the next three years.
	"Future capital expenditure plans are unaffected by the UK's decision to leave the EU," the company said in its a statement alongside its annual earnings.
	"The group will continue to make substantial investments to enhance its operations across the UK."
	Aldi UK will refurbish more than 100 stores in 2017 and will also open 70 new branches, under plans to increase the number of stores from 659 to 1,000 by 2022.
	The company also revealed Monday that sales grew 12 per cent to 7.7 billion pounds in 2015, adding that turnover had doubled in just three years.
	Operating profit however declined 1.8 per cent to 255.6 pound million, but the company attributed this to investment in low prices.
	In recent ..

Aldi discounts Brexit impact, ramps up UK expansion

Taiwan evacuated thousands of tourists from outlying islands today and set up nearly 100 shelters across the island as it braced for its third typhoon in two weeks.
	The east coast is still reeling from damage caused by Super Typhoon Meranti earlier this month -- the strongest storm for 21 years to hit Taiwan -- followed by Typhoon Malakas.
	The same part of the island is in the firing line again from approaching Typhoon Megi, which is already bringing strong winds and waves.
	It is due to make landfall on the east coast on Tuesday and forecast to bring almost a metre of rain to some areas over three days.
	Ferries to Taiwan's Green Island and Orchid Island were halted Monday after more than 3,700 visitors were evacuated over the weekend.
	A 700-ton crane was blown over Monday at a harbour in the eastern area of Hualien. It crushed a nearby building but no one was injured.
	More than 35,000 soldiers are on standby to help with disaster relief and 92 shelters are open for ...

Taiwan evacuates tourists ahead of third storm in two weeks

Smoke from an air vent forced a Philippine Airlines flight to Japan to turn back just minutes after taking off today, aviation officials said.
	"Apparently there was information that the pilot detected smoke in the cabin. So as part of safety measures, the pilot had to return to the ground," said Eric Apolonio, spokesman for the civil aviation authority.
	The Airbus A340-300 plane, carrying 222 passengers and 13 crew to Tokyo's Haneda airport, was forced to return to Manila 20 minutes after taking off, an airline statement said.
	PAL said there was no panic and the passengers all disembarked safely and would travel to Japan on another aircraft.
	The cause of the incident is still being investigated, the airline said.

Smokes forces Philippine Airlines flight to turn back

The Philippines today reported its first known case of a pregnant woman infected with the Zika virus that threatens unborn babies, as authorities warned people to avoid mosquitos.
	Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said 12 cases of Zika had been detected across the Philippines this month, including a 22-year-old woman from the central island of Cebu who is 19 weeks' pregnant with her first child.
	"Initial ultrasound did not detect any foetal abnormalities. She will be monitored regularly during the entire period of the pregnancy," the health department said.
	Zika-infected pregnant women can give birth to babies with microcephaly, a deformation marked by abnormally small brains and heads.
	Of the country's 12 Zika cases, eight were female and ranged in age from 9 to 55, the department said.
	None of those infected had travelled a month before testing positive and all had since recovered, it said.
	Special teams have been dispatched to all the affected areas to investigate where the ...

Philippines reports first Zika pregnancy case

French tax authorities have asked Switzerland to hand over client information for some 45,000 bank accounts as part of a probe into alleged tax fraud, Le Parisien daily said today.
	Swiss banking giant UBS said in July that the Swiss authorities had asked it to provide client information following a French request for international administrative assistance in May.
	The demand concerns former and current clients living in France, based on data from 2006 to 2008.
	Le Parisien on Monday published extracts from a letter dated May 11 from French tax authorities. It said that France was chasing the names of the owners of "more than 45,161 different account numbers."
	"The assets of those listed totaled more than 11 billion Swiss francs (11 billion dollars), which could represent a several billion dollar shortfall for the French treasury," according to the letter written by French tax authorities, the report said.
	According to the report, French authorities have already identified 4,782 ...

France asks Switzerland to hand over 45,000 UBS accounts

Oil prices rose modestly in Asia today ahead of a producers' meeting this week that might agree to cap supplies.
	But analysts warned the wellspring of optimism should be tempered by experience of two years of gluts and disagreement among members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
	OPEC and Russia are slated to begin meeting later today on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum in Algiers, looking for ways to stabilise prices that have been depressed since 2014.
	Pre-forum talks last week between OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and member Iran were bleak, with neither willing to commit to freezing production, sending prices plunging more than 3.0 per cent on Friday.
	However, both major contracts rebounded today after Algeria's energy minister said all options were still on the table, said OANDA market analyst Jeffrey Halley.
	"With OPEC meeting on the sidelines of International Energy Forum for the next three days, and with the first (US) presidential ...

Oil edges higher ahead of OPEC meeting

Iconic US golfer Arnold Palmer was recalled by the legends he battled and players he inspired as a beloved figure who spawned the modern big-money era with his charm and skill.
     Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, stars of a newer generation who admired "The King," and Palmer's "Big Three" rivals of the 1960s, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, were among those who mourned Palmer's death Sunday at age 87.
     But so was US President Barack Obama, who tweeted a photo of a lesson Palmer gave him in the Oval Office of the White House.
     "Here's to The King who was as extraordinary on the links as he was generous to others. Thanks for the memories, Arnold," Obama tweeted.
     Palmer's everlasting legacy is found in the star players and rich events of today, such as Rory McIlroy and the $11.5 million he won Sunday for taking the Tour Championship and FedExCup playoff crown.
     "He has meant so much to golf worldwide," four-time major winner McIlroy told The Golf Channel, which Palmer ...

Obama joins stars, rivals in tributes to Palmer's legacy

Arnold Palmer, the golf great whose charisma and common touch drew a legion of fans known as "Arnie's Army" and propelled the game into the mainstream, died Sunday at the age of 87.
     "Arnold Palmer will always be a champion, in every sense of the word," the US Golf Association said in a statement mourning the death of "golf's greatest ambassador."
     "He inspired generations to love golf by sharing his competitive spirit, displaying sportsmanship, caring for golfers and golf fans, and serving as a lifelong ambassador for the sport.
     "The game is indeed better because of him, and in so many ways, will never be the same."
     Palmer, a native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, died at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he had been since Thursday while undergoing heart tests, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
     No cause of death was immediately given.
     "We just lost one of the incredible people in the game of golf and in all of sports," 18-time major champion ...

Beloved golf great Arnold Palmer dies at 87 - USGA

A human rights group is urging the nearly one million US citizens who live in Mexico to vote in hopes of keeping Republican Donald Trump out of the White House, organisers have said.
	"We are going to Mobile the almost eight million Americans who live abroad, a million of them in Mexico, and we want them to vote to stop Donald Trump," said Joseph Huff-Hannon yesterday, a campaign leader at Avaaz, an activist organisation for political, environmental and human rights issues.
	Under the shadow of Mexico's Angel of Independence monument, about 200 people gathered to register to vote next to a billboard-sized placard featuring an anti-Trump cartoon, one day ahead of the first presidential debate between Trump and his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton.
	Passersby posed with an effigy of Trump while a mariachi band serenaded them.
	The bureaucratic complications of registering to vote when Americans are abroad can discourage people from casting ballots and the Avaaz campaign is aimed ..

AFP

AFP

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