Murder trial
HEFEI, China - A Chinese court will hand down its judgment on Gu Kailai, wife of former top politician Bo Xilai, over the murder of a British businessman in a case which set off China's biggest scandal in years. The verdict comes less than two weeks after Gu's trial, during which she confessed to murdering Neil Heywood, a 41-year-old British man with whom the family had business dealings, after a row over money. Experts say a guilty verdict on Monday is almost certain, but Gu is likely to be spared execution and will instead serve a long prison sentence, though murder typically carries the death penalty in China.
Rockets wound
AMMAN - Jordan's information minister says four Syrian rockets have fallen on a northern Jordanian border town, slightly wounding a four-year-old girl.
Sameeh Maaytah says the Jordanian girl was treated for shrapnel wounds and then released from the hospital. Then minister says the four rockets landed on Sunday on the outskirts of the Jordanian city of Turra, a village near Mafraq on the Syrian border.
Three dead
BELGRADE - A rally driver in Serbia lost control of his car and hit a group of spectators, killing three people and injuring another, Serbian state television network RTS says. The accident happened in the Tara mountain region in Serbia's southwest, where driver Branimir Simic of Bosnia lost control of his car and hit four spectators a few hundred metres from the finish line, media reports said. The cause of Sunday's crash was not immediately clear.
Clooney a friend
WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama says actor George Clooney is a good friend and a good person who is sensitive about protecting their friendship. Obama says Clooney is low-maintenance and doesn't take advantage of their friendship. He says Clooney keeps his distance so that Obama won't be criticised for hanging out with Hollywood celebrities.
Bikie stabbings
SYDNEY - The stabbing of two men during a fight on the NSW central coast may be bikie-related, police say. A number of men are believed to have been involved in a brawl at Scenic Drive, Budgewoi shortly before 11pm (AEST) on Sunday, police said. Two men were taken to John Hunter Hospital in critical condition after police arrived, leading the crowd to disperse in cars. A 27-year-old man is being treated for stab wounds to his arm and stomach while a 48-year-old man is receiving treatment for stab wounds to his back.