World briefs

SOUTH CHINA SEA The Philippine navy extricated one of its largest warships from the shoal where it ran aground last week near a hotly disputed region in the South China Sea. 

JAPAN Typhoon Jebi swept through western Japan yesterday as the strongest tropical cyclone to come ashore in 25 years, causing widespread power outages and flooding the region’s main airport. At least two people have been reported killed.

NAURU Tensions over China and refugees ran high yesterday at a meeting of Pacific leaders after host Nauru accused a Chinese official of bullying and temporarily detained a New Zealand journalist. 

INDIA A highway overpass collapsed yesterday in the crowded Indian city of Kolkata, and some injured people were being treated at a nearby hospital, an official said.

AFGHANISTAN Insurgents have attacked security checkpoints in northern and eastern Afghanistan, killing six police, officials said yesterday.

ANGOLA At least 17 people were killed and an undetermined number wounded after two trains collided in the southern Angolan province of Namibe on a track line under Chinese maintenance, according to local news sources.

EGYPT An Egyptian man was arrested outside the U.S. Embassy in Cairo yesterday after chemicals in his backpack caught fire, in what authorities said was a botched attack.

GERMANY Authorities said they’re stepping up surveillance of the far-right Alternative for Germany amid growing concern the third-largest party in parliament is closing ranks with extremist groups.

BRITAIN Bank of England Governor Mark Carney all but confirmed yesterday that he is to stay at the helm of the central bank for longer than planned to help ensure Britain leaves the European Union as smoothly as possible.

SPAIN said yesterday it has canceled the delivery of 400 laser-guided bombs purchased by Saudi Arabia, amid fears that the weapons could be used against Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen.

VENEZUELA President Nicolas Maduro said he is investing part of his personal savings in a gold-backed certificate as part of a much-questioned plan to crush hyperinflation and reactivate Venezuela’s moribund economy.

MEXICO In his final state of the union address, outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto blamed surging violent crime in Mexico on the inability of state and local police to handle the smaller gangs that emerged following the capture of cartel leaders.