China on track to develop Indian railways as Xi heads to South Asia

NEW DELHI/BEIJING (Reuters) - China will pledge to invest billions of dollars in India's rail network during a visit by President Xi Jinping this week, bringing more than diplomatic nicety to the neighbors' first summit since Narendra Modi became prime minister in May.

Sweden votes with center-left opposition targeting narrow lead

STOCKHOLM, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Sweden's s center-left opposition appeared headed for a narrow election victory on Sunday, according to polls, on a platform of increased spending on job schemes, healthcare and schools after 8 years of tax cuts.

Ferry sinks in Philippines, 2 dead, 102 rescued

MANILA (Reuters) - Two people were killed and more than 100 rescued after a ferry sank off the coast of central Philippines, disaster and coast guard authorities said on Sunday.

Abe says 'neutral' on whether to raise Japan sales tax to 10 percent

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday he remained "neutral" on whether to proceed with a hike in Japan's sales tax to 10 percent, adding that decision would hinge on the strength of economic indicators for the current quarter.

Fate of United Kingdom hangs in balance after new Scotland polls

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - The fate of the United Kingdom remained unclear five days before a historic referendum on Scottish independence as three new polls on Saturday showed a slight lead for supporters of the union, but one saying the separatist campaign was pulling ahead.

Islamic State video purports to show beheading of UK hostage David Haines

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria released a video on Saturday which purported to show the beheading of British aid worker David Haines.

Iraq PM says he will protect civilians after U.S.-Iraq air strikes against IS

BAGHDAD/CAIRO (Reuters) - Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Saturday that he had ordered his air force to halt strikes on civilian areas, following attacks by both Iraqi and U.S. jets in large areas of the country held by Islamic State fighters.

Islamic state video purports to show beheading of UK hostage David Haines

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria released a video on Saturday which purported to show the beheading of British aid worker David Haines.