1. A bomb exploded Monday outside a religious shrine in a bustling hub of the Thai capital, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 120 others in an attack authorities said targeted foreigners. The blast occurred about 6:30 pm (1130 GMT) when the streetside Erawan Shrine close to some of Bangkok's most popular upscale shopping malls was packed with worshippers and tourists.
2. Pakistan's hawkish Islamist general Hamid Gul, who, as director general of that country's all-powerful Inter Services Intelligence was known to have nurtured Khalistani and Kashmiri militants, died of brain haemorrhage in Murree on Sunday aged 78.
3. More than 300 American rabbis wrote to members of Congress on Monday urging them to support the international nuclear deal with Iran, signalling the US Jewish community is split over the historic but controversial accord.
4. The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the conviction of Vikas and Vishal Yadav, who had murdered Nitish Katara in 2002 for having a relationship with their sister Bharti, but agreed to weigh whether the 30-year jail term imposed by the Delhi high court was just punishment for the cousins.
5. Terror mastermind Osama bin Laden in a 1993 speech invoked apostle of peace Mahatma Gandhi as he asked his supporters to boycott American goods and seek inspiration from the Indian leader's struggle against the British, according to audio tapes of the slain al-Qaida chief.
