World News Roundup: Pakistan scraps lifetime bans on convicts, paving way for ex-PM Nawaz Sharif; India's top court quashes release of men in Muslim woman's gang-rape - lawyer and more

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which participated in the 2018 vote but kept away in 2014, boycotted the polls after Hasina refused its demands to resign and allow a neutral authority to run the general election. Pakistan scraps lifetime bans on convicts, paving way for ex-PM Nawaz Sharif Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday scrapped lifetime bans from contesting elections for people with past convictions, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said, giving Nawaz Sharif the chance to become prime minister for a fourth time.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Four killed in combined Russian air strike on Ukraine

Russia sent dozens of missiles across Ukraine early on Monday, killing at least four civilians and hitting residential areas and commercial sites in its latest combined air attack, Ukrainian authorities said. Two people were killed in the western Khmelnytskyi region, local officials reported, where critical infrastructure had also been struck.

Mass killer Breivik sues Norway in bid to end prison isolation

Anders Behring Breivik, the far-right fanatic who killed 77 people in a bombing and shooting rampage in Norway in 2011, appeared in a court set up in his prison on Monday to launch a legal bid to end his years in isolation. Wearing a black suit, white shirt and brown tie, Breivik said nothing and made no gesture as he entered the hearing, set up in the gym of the high-security jail 70km (40 miles) northwest of Oslo.

Bucharest appeals court overturns decision to seize assets of Andrew Tate

The Bucharest Court of Appeal has overturned a decision to seize the assets of Andrew Tate, a representative of the divisive internet personality said in a statement sent via WhatsApp. Tate was indicted in June along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian female suspects for human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, allegations they have denied.

Brazil to mark anniversary of January 8 attack on democracy

Brazil will hold ceremonies in the capital celebrating its democratic system one year after a right-wing mob invaded and vandalized Brazil's Congress, its Supreme Court and the presidential palace to protest an election result. About 500 guests are invited to an event in Brazil's Congress where leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Congressional leaders are expected to speak.

Japan quake survivors, without power or water, seek news on rebuild plans

A week after a major earthquake struck the west coast of Japan, thousands of people are still without water and electricity and have yet to be told when plans to rebuild can begin. The magnitude 7.6 quake killed at least 168 people on New Year's Day with 323 reported missing. Sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow and rain have hampered the delivery of aid, leaving thousands with diminishing supplies and little information.

Western allies seek rapid end to Gaza war as Israel presses on

The United States and its allies in the Group of Seven are seeking a quick way out of the military phase of the Gaza conflict, Italy said on Monday, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his EU and German counterparts toured the region. Blinken was holding talks on Gaza in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Monday before heading on to Israel, aiming to kick start concerted peace efforts that he says are needed to avoid a wider conflagration.

US investigators retrieve 737 MAX jet panel, Boeing shares sink

U.S. officials have recovered a panel that blew off an Alaska Airlines airliner triggering a partial grounding of Boeing's 737 MAX 9 and sending shares in the planemaker tumbling on Monday. A door plug tore off on Friday following takeoff from Portland, Oregon, en route to Ontario, California, depressurizing the plane and forcing pilots to turn back.

India's top court quashes release of men in Muslim woman's gang-rape - lawyer

India's top court on Monday quashed the release of 11 Hindu men who had been jailed for life for gang-raping a pregnant Muslim woman and murdering her relatives during Hindu-Muslim riots in Gujarat state in 2002, a lawyer in the case said. The court directed the men to surrender to prison authorities within two weeks, the lawyer added.

Bangladesh PM Hasina secures fourth straight term in vote boycotted by main opposition

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina swept to a fourth straight term in power, with her party winning almost 75% of the seats in Sunday's general election that was boycotted by the main opposition and drew a low turnout. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which participated in the 2018 vote but kept away in 2014, boycotted the polls after Hasina refused its demands to resign and allow a neutral authority to run the general election.

Pakistan scraps lifetime bans on convicts, paving way for ex-PM Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday scrapped lifetime bans from contesting elections for people with past convictions, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said, giving Nawaz Sharif the chance to become prime minister for a fourth time. Sharif's party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), is considered a frontrunner to win the election, scheduled for Feb. 8, with his main rival, former prime minister Imran Khan, in jail and barred from contesting the polls for five years.