1. Cain quits

    U.S. Republican White House hopeful* Herman Cain has effectively ended his presidential bid, citing the painful toll of “false and unproved” allegations* of sexual harassment* and adultery*.

    The former pizza executive announced on Saturday that he was “suspending” his campaign because of “the continued hurt caused to me and my family” by claims of impropriety*.

    2. Putin party wins

    The ruling party of Vladimir Putin on Monday won Russia’s parliamentary elections but with a sharply reduced majority*, in a blow for the Russian strongman ahead of his planned return to the Kremlin in 2012.

    3. Socrates dies

    Former Brazil great Socrates, the clever playmaker* who captained his country at the 1982 World Cup, died on Sunday. He was 57.

    Known for his elegant style on the field and his deep involvement with Brazilian politics, Socrates died of septic* shock resulting from an intestinal* infection*, according to a statement by the Albert Einstein hospital.

    4. U.K. expels diplomats

    Britain shut Iran’s embassy in London and expelled* all its staff last Wednesday, saying the storming of the British mission* in Tehran could not have taken place without consent* from Iranian authorities.

    Foreign Secretary William Hague also said the British Embassy in Tehran had been closed and all staff evacuated* following the attack last Tuesday by a crowd that ransacked* offices and burned British flags in a protest over sanctions* imposed by Britain on Tehran.

    Iran warned that Britain’s closure of the Iranian Embassy in London would lead to further retaliation*.

    5. Fishermen under arrest

    China on Monday demanded the Philippines ensure the safety and lawful rights of six detained Chinese fishermen.

    The fishermen, from Hainan, were arrested on Friday in waters off western Palawan province’s Balabac township, said a Philippine military spokesman. They were expected to be charged with violating the Philippines’ wildlife act*.

    6. State of emergency

    Peruvian President Ollanta Humala declared a state of emergency late Sunday to quell* protests against Newmont Mining’s US$4.8 billion Conga mine project that have hobbled* the region of Cajamarca for 11 days. Humala said the ruling would give security forces added power to ensure that roads, schools and hospitals could reopen after having been shuttered for days by rallies* and marches against the proposed mine.

    7. Birthday pardon

    An annual royal pardon* granted to thousands of convicts* to mark the Thai king’s birthday did not include fugitive* ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

    Media reports emerged last month saying the Cabinet had endorsed a draft pardon that could allow Thaksin to return without serving time, prompting anger from his rivals, but the government later appeared to back off from such a move.

    8. Giant pandas

    Two giant pandas from China landed in Scotland on Sunday, where they will become the first pandas to live in Britain in nearly two decades.

    The 8-year-old pair, named Tian Tian and Yang Guang, were welcomed by the sound of the pipes and a host of dignitaries as they touched down at Edinburgh Airport on a specially chartered Boeing 777 flight called the “Panda Express.” The pandas, from Sichuan, are to stay for 10 years at Edinburgh Zoo.

 (SD-Agencies)