Lightning kills 11 amid India floods

NEW DELHI - Lightning killed at least 11 people in eastern India as large swaths of the country reeled under the worst floods in years that have left hundreds dead and millions displaced, officials said on Monday.

Thai tsunami system 'needs upgrade'

BANGKOK - Up to 80 percent of Thailand's tsunami warning system needs maintenance work, the deputy director-general of its disaster prevention department said on Monday, more than a decade after the region was hit by a tsunami that killed 226,000 people.

Putin orders 755 US personnel out

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin said the United States would have to cut its diplomatic staff in Russia by 755 people and that Moscow could consider additional measures against Washington as a response to new US sanctions approved by Congress.

S. Korea to review deal over sex slaves

SEOUL - South Korea on Monday began an official review of a controversial agreement with Japan over World War II sex slaves, formally reopening an issue that still strains ties between them.

UK will not cut taxes below EU average

LONDON - The United Kingdom does not intend to lower taxes far below the European average in order to remain competitive after Brexit but rather expects to keep a recognizably European economic and social model, finance minister Philip Hammond said.

Arab quartet ready for talks with Qatar

MANAMA, Bahrain - The Saudi Arabia-led Arab quartet have expressed preparedness for talks with Qatar, while insisting that Doha must meet their demands.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Life back to normal for Syrian photo boy

ALEPPO, Syria - A Syrian boy whose heartbreaking image once drew the world's attention is now living a normal life together with his family in an area currently under the control of the Syria Army.

Memorials to mark century-old horror of World War I

YPRES, Belgium - Memorials will be held on Sunday and Monday to mark the centenary of one of World War I's most bloody battles.

Poles revive ancient tradition of timber floating on longest river

GASSY, Poland - A group of Poles have assembled tree trunks into a long raft and are streaming down the country's longest river, the Vistula, to revive the ancient tradition of timber floating.

Winery plans Chile tie-up in China bid

MENDOZA, Argentina - The Chinese mainland market is key to Argentine wineries in their efforts to open up new markets and businesses, a winery owner said.

US sanctions spark Russia retaliations

MOSCOW - Russia told the United States on Friday that some of its diplomats must leave the country in just over a month and said it was seizing some US diplomatic property as retaliation for proposed new US sanctions it described as illegal.