World briefs

SOUTH CHINA SEA Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Vietnam’s prime minister have discussed efforts by their countries to delineate their maritime boundaries in the disputed South China Sea, most of which is claimed by China.

INDONESIA Torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing at least 27 people, including a dozen children at a school. 

MALAYSIA Charismatic Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim won a by-election for a parliamentary seat with a landslide victory in a grand political comeback to help him prepare for his eventual takeover from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

RUSSIA Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been released from jail after serving 50 days on two consecutive sentences for organizing unsanctioned protests. The protests were against a Russian government plan to raise the eligibility age for state pensions, which has since been signed into law.

NEPAL Internet providers have begun blocking thousands of pornographic websites as part of a government directive aimed at stopping sexual violence. 

INDIA Twelve people were feared dead in a cyclone shelter swamped by a landslide caused by heavy rains in eastern India, officials said Saturday.

SYRIA A month after Russia, Turkey and Iran came together in a last-ditch effort to avert a potentially catastrophic Syrian government offensive in Idlib, they appear to have succeeded in creating a buffer zone around the northern rebel-held province, defusing tensions in a major flashpoint region.

TURKEY At least 22 migrants, including children, have been killed in a truck accident yesterday, Turkey’s official news agency said.

SOMALIA is marking the first anniversary of one of the world’s deadliest attacks since 9/11, a truck bombing in the heart of Mogadishu that killed well over 500 people.

POLAND Police used tear gas and a water cannon against right-wing extremists who were trying to block the first equality parade in the city of Lublin in eastern Poland.

GERMANY Bavarians were voting yesterday in a state election that was expected to deal the prosperous region’s long-dominant conservative party a stinging setback, with unpredictable consequences for German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s (pictured) federal government.

PORTUGAL A weakened hurricane Leslie slammed into the coast of Portugal, leaving 27 people injured as it uprooted trees, brought down power lines and smashed store windows with gusting winds and heavy rain.