World Briefs

PHILIPPINES Five suspected Abu Sayyaf militants accused of involvement in a deadly suicide attack at a Roman Catholic cathedral in the southern Philippines have surrendered to authorities, the national police chief said yesteday amid renewed terrorism fears.

AUSTRALIA Three of Australia’s largest banks could face prosecution following a yearlong investigation into misconduct recommended tougher oversight and better consumer safeguards. 

AFGHANISTAN The Taliban said yesterday they will participate in what they call “intra-Afghan” talks in Moscow designed to bring together prominent Afghan figures, including former President Hamid Karzai, opposition figures and tribal elders — but no Kabul government officials.

ISRAEL Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a new weekly webcast to “get rid of the fake from the news” ahead of national elections in April. In a video shared on social media, Netanyahu said the webcast will “only cover the reality, and I will continue to ensure that it will be positive.”

RUSSIA Protesters have rallied in more than a dozen Russian cities and towns against waste management plans that foresee Moscow sending its trash to poorer — and often pristine — northern areas.

SPAIN The leader of Catalonia’s failed secession bid in 2017 says that Spain will seek “vengeance” rather than justice when 12 of his separatist allies stand trial next week accused of rebellion and other charges.

BRITAIN With Brexit just seven weeks away, Britain’s ruling Conservative Party was locked in tense negotiations with itself yesterday to rework the U.K.’s divorce deal with the European Union — as the EU stood firm in ruling out any renegotiation.

US Five people died and two were injured after a small plane apparently came apart over a suburban Southern California neighborhood, raining debris on streets and backyards and igniting a house fire, authorities said.