World Briefs

PHILIPPINES The head of a Philippine online news site who was arrested by government agents in a libel case accused President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration yesterday of acting like a dictatorship and using the law as a weapon to muzzle dissent. 

INDIA At least 12 soldiers were killed and 40 others wounded yesterday in a car bomb attack on a paramilitary convoy along a key highway in Indian-controlled Kashmir, security officials said.

YEMEN Asserting congressional authority over war-making powers, the U.S. legislature passed a resolution that would force the administration to withdraw troops from involvement in Yemen, in a rebuke of President Donald Trump’s alliance with the Saudi-led coalition behind the military intervention.

IRAN A suicide car bomber claimed by an al-Qaida-linked group attacked a bus carrying members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard paramilitary force, killing at least 27 people and wounding 13 others, state media reported.

SYRIA U.S.-backed Syrian forces are clearing two villages in eastern Syria of remaining Islamic State militants who are hiding among the local population, and detaining others attempting to flee with the civilians, the U.S.-led coalition said yesterday.

EGYPT Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly yesterday to extend term limits for President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi until 2034, part of a package of constitutional amendments also set to further enshrine the military’s role in politics that will now face a national referendum.

ROMANIA Prosecutors applying for the post of European chief prosecutor must be treated fairly, the European Commission said yesterday, after Romania moved to block one of its own nationals.

FRANCE A former French boxer who was filmed attacking riot police officers during the yellow vest protests has been convicted of assault and given a one-year prison sentence.

VENEZUELA’s opposition-controlled National Assembly appointed a transitional board of directors for the state oil company, in a bid by congress chief Juan Guaido (pictured) to gain control of an industry that is the economic backbone of the country.

BRAZIL’s justice minister says police will investigate reports that President Jair Bolsonaro’s party gave money to so-called “front” candidates during last year’s elections.