World briefs

PHILIPPINES The immigration bureau yesterday ordered the deportation of an Australian nun who has angered the president by joining anti-government rallies, but her lawyers called the move “persecution” and said they would appeal. 

INDIA Security forces killed eight Maoist insurgents, including four women, in an exchange of gunfire early yesterday in their stronghold in central India, a police officer said.

RUSSIA People are protesting government plans to hike the retirement age, in a rare challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s leadership. The State Duma yesterday approved a bill that would raise the age for state pensions from 60 to 65 for men, and from 55 to 63 for women.

SYRIA All the residents of two Syrian pro-government villages in the country’s northwest — over 7,000 people — who were besieged by the rebels for three years were evacuated yesterday to government-held territory, Syria’s state-run media reported.

ISRAEL’s parliament approved a controversial piece of legislation yesterday that defines the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people but which critics warn sidelines minorities. 

TURKEY Authorities formally arrested a controversial Islamic televangelist and cult leader on charges that include forming a criminal gang, blackmail and sexual abuse of minors.

NIGERIA A police official says authorities have arrested 22 Boko Haram extremist leaders and fighters responsible for the mass kidnapping of schoolgirls in Chibok and more than 50 suicide bombings.

SPAIN A Supreme Court judge yesterday dropped extradition requests for six politicians wanted on rebellion charges for their roles in promoting the Catalonia region’s independence, including former regional president Carles Puigdemont (pictured).

BRITAIN A coroner yesterday opened an inquest into the death of a British woman who was exposed to Novichok, as British media reported that police may have identified suspects in an earlier attack on a former Russian spy using the same deadly nerve agent.

MEXICO A 5.7 magnitude earthquake has rattled southern and central Mexico, but there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.