Politics

  KABUL / AP Afghan officials say flash floods in northern provinces have killed at least 38 people overnight. Remote, northern areas of Afghanistan often see flash floods triggered by heavy rains, which also cause landslides. The officials said on Monday that the flash floods struck the provinces of Takhar, Badghis and Samangan. Heavy rains have also hit the capital, ...

Beirut / AFP Key Syrian rebel groups vowed on Monday to strike back against alleged regime ceasefire violations, casting doubt on the future of fragile peace talks due to resume in Geneva. A truce agreed in February dramatically curtailed violence across much of Syria, but fighting has surged in recent days around second city Aleppo, causing tens of thousands to ...

  SEOUL/ AFP South Korea’s president is to visit Iran early next month for what would be the two countries’ first summit talks, her office said Monday. Iran has been seeking to integrate into the global financial system and improve ties with other countries since nuclear-related sanctions were lifted in January. Tehran last year agreed to curb nuclear activities in ...

  Addis Ababa / AFP More followers of an influential Iraqi Shiite cleric on Monday joined a rally in central Baghdad to press lawmakers to vote on a Cabinet shakeup proposed by the prime minister amid a simmering political crisis that could jeopardize the country’s fight against the Islamic State group. Police cordoned off a downtown square with razor wire ...

  Juba / AFP South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar’s highly-anticipated return to the capital Juba, to take up the role of vice president, was delayed on Monday, his spokesman said, citing “logistical reasons”. “We are committed to the peace agreement, but there have been logistical issues and the first vice president, Riek Machar, will come tomorrow,” spokesman William Ezekiel ...

  Ecuador / AFP Rescuers in Ecuador raced to dig out people trapped under the rubble of homes and businesses on Sunday, following a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 233. Vice President Jorge Glas called it the “worst seismic movement we have faced in decades.” President Rafael Correa said on Twitter that the death toll Sunday had risen ...

  Jerusalem / AFP Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday that the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights would “forever” remain in his country’s hands as his cabinet held its first meeting in the territory. “The Golan Heights will remain in the hands of Israel forever,” Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting, in comments broadcast on public radio. “Israel will ...

  Myanmar / AFP Myanmar President HtinKyaw pardoned 83 political prisoners on the country’s traditional New Year on Sunday, a spokesman from his office said, as the fledgling civilian-led administration seeks to cast off the shackles of nearly half a century of military rule. The new government, steered by veteran democracy activist Aung San SuuKyi, has spent its first weeks in ...

  Tripoli / AFP The United Nations’ Libya envoy urged lawmakers to back a unity government as he landed in Tripoli on Sunday on the eve of a crucial confidence vote. Libya’s recognised parliament is set to vote Monday on the UN-backed Government of National Accord, supported by the international community in a bid to end years of chaos in the ...

  Washington / AFP Republican Ted Cruz picked up more delegates in the race for the White House, winning all 14 that were up for grabs at his party’s state convention in Wyoming. The sweep comes as the Texas senator is attempting to chip away at rival Donald Trump’s lead in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination. “Thank you Wyoming!” ...