World briefs

PHILIPPINES Government forces launched “precision attacks” yesterday to clear militants linked to the Islamic State group from a city that has been under siege since a failed raid to capture a militant on the U.S. list of most-wanted terrorists. Around 20 people have died in the fighting, including 13 militants and five soldiers, and the violence has forced thousands to flee amid fears of growing extremism in the country. 

TAIWAN’s military practiced repelling a simulated Chinese assault on an outlying island group yesterday as part of annual military drills addressing the threat from across the Taiwan Strait. 

INDONESIA’s president ordered a thorough investigation yesterday of twin suicide bombings that targeted police, killing three officers, in the deadliest attack by suspected militants in the capital in a year.

SINGAPORE’s government gave an upbeat outlook on the economy, saying it will probably expand more than 2 percent this year as exports continue to strengthen.

MONGOLIA The International Monetary Fund said yesterday lenders have approved a USD5.5 billion financing package for Mongolia to support reforms meant to revive economic growth and reduce reliance on mineral exports.

NEW ZEALAND California-based company Rocket Lab said yesterday it had launched a test rocket into space from its New Zealand launch pad, although the rocket didn’t reach orbit as hoped. Politicians in the country are rushing through new space laws and the government has set up a boutique space agency, which employs 10 people.

CYPRUS The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus are still “far apart” on holding a final peace summit next month that would aim for an overall deal reunifying the island as a federation, a United Nations envoy said yesterday.

ZIMBABWE President Robert Mugabe’s daughter has been appointed to the country’s censorship board. The 27-year-old Bona Mugabe (pictured right) now will be part of an agency that polices what Zimbabweans can watch on their televisions or in public.

US-NATO Meeting fellow NATO leaders for the first time, U.S. President Donald Trump aggressively challenged them yesterday to spend more on their own defense, putting the alliance under exceptional pressure to become tougher, sharper and newly relevant. 

VENEZUELA’s chief prosecutor said a 20-year-old protester had been killed by state security forces, giving a version of events that contradicted others in the socialist administration who have strenuously denied state forces were involved.