World Briefs

CHINA’s top economic planning official says it is impossible that the country’s economy would have a “hard landing” after a period of robust growth.

PHILIPPINES The government says an American woman who visited the country in January has tested positive for the Zika virus in the United States.

BRAZLIAN President Dilma Rousseff joined hundreds of people gathered outside the residence of her predecessor Lula da Silva, one day after police questioned him in an investigation into a sprawling corruption case involving state-run oil company Petrobras.

MYANMAR Nine people were killed and 16 others injured in a bus crash in Nuathogyi township, Myanmar’s northern Mandalay region yesterday morning. The dead include the driver and six women, while the injured were brought to Mandalay Hospital for treatment.

INDIA U.S. seed giant Monsanto has threatened to pull its genetically modified crop technology from India if the government goes ahead with its plan to cut the company’s royalty fees.

POLAND Hundreds of women have marched in Warsaw to demand greater accessibility to abortion, better working conditions and more state support in raising children.

AFGHANISTAN‘s President Ashraf Ghani says the Islamic State group has been defeated in the eastern parts of the country, where it had taken over some remote districts.

MEXICO The once-secretive Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has launched a public relations blitz, calling on his lawyers and even his common-law wife to keep his name in the news.

USA Creating fresh evidence that there’s no quick end in sight to the fractious Republican Party race for president, Ted Cruz and Donald Trump each captured two victories in a four-state round of primary voting.

USA Nancy Reagan, the helpmate, backstage adviser and fierce protector of Ronald Reagan in his journey from actor to president — and finally during his 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease — has died.