World briefs

TAIWAN A black sport utility vehicle (SUV) crashed into a security barrier outside the office building of Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou early yesterday, his office spokesperson Ma Wei-kuo said. The 39-year-old driver, identified by the surname Lin, was taken away by police soon after the crash, which occurred at 6:42 a.m. Though the SUV sustained damage, the driver was not injured.

PHILIPPINES At least 20 members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in the clash with the Philippine government forces in Pikit, North Cotabato last Saturday, the military said Yesterday. Col. Noel Clement, commander of the army’s 602nd Brigade, said the figure was based on information provided by military personnel on the ground and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which helped in the conduct of the operations.

SINGAPORE will increase spending significantly in the coming years as it strengthens its social security system and helps older and middle-income workers. The country will raise its pension-savings salary ceiling and enhance the rates for retirees, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said in his budget speech in Parliament yesterday. The median age of Singapore’s citizens will rise to 47 in 2030 from 39 in 2011, while life expectancy has increased by 10 years over the last three decades, according to the National Population and Talent Division. The government last year set aside S$9 billion (USD6.6 billion) for health care and other benefits for the elderly as part of a Pioneer Generation Package.

IRAN-USA Officials say the U.S. and Iran are shaping the contours of a deal that could allow Iran to progressively ramp up its nuclear program over the last few years of its duration. Western officials cite long-awaited progress on many elements that would have to go into a comprehensive deal being negotiated yesterday.
UK The families of three British schoolgirls believed to have fled to Syria to join the Islamic State extremist group have issued emotional public appeals urging them to come home as police searched for them in Turkey. The girls, all 15 to 16 years old, disappeared from their homes last Tuesday. Authorities said they boarded a plane to Turkey. More on p15

UK Two former senior British government ministers have denied wrongdoing after being caught in a hidden-camera sting appearing to offer access to politicians and diplomats in return for cash. Jack Straw, who was foreign secretary under Labour Party Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Conservative former Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, were secretly filmed by reporters posing as representatives of a fictional Hong Kong-based communications agency. The reporters said they were seeking top U.K. politicians to join the firm’s advisory board. More on p15

UKRAINE A Ukrainian military spokesman says continuing attacks from rebels are delaying Ukrainian forces’ pullback of heavy weapons from the front line in the country’s east. Under a peace agreement reached on Feb. 12, both sides are to withdraw their heavy weapons anywhere from 25 to 70 kilometers to create a buffer zone. Ukrainian officials said Sunday that they were planning to begin.

SWITZERLAND The World Health Organization (WHO) released new injection safety guidelines yesterday, providing detailed recommendations highlighting the safety features for syringes, including devices that protect against accidental needle injury and consequent exposure to infection. As part of the effort to help all countries tackle the pervasive issue of unsafe injections, WHO is recommending new “smart” syringes for injections into the muscle or skin, which have features that prevent re-use.

GREECE was due to submit a list of proposed reforms to its debt inspectors by last night to get final approval for an extension to its rescue loans. The government and its creditors agreed Friday to extend the country’s rescue loans by four months. In return, Greece would have to commit to a series of budget measures meant to keep a lid on debts and improve the economy.

EGYPT The retrial of two Al-Jazeera English journalists who face terror-related charges in a case widely criticized by human rights organizations and media groups has been postponed to March 8. The decision yesterday comes after a brief hearing for acting bureau chief Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohammed. They were freed earlier this month to await trial, though they’ve had to check in with police each day.