Support for SPD hits a record low amid migrant crisis

BERLIN - Combined support for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative alliance and their partners, the left-leaning Social Democrats, has hit a record low for any such 'grand coalition' government, according to a survey published on Sunday.

UN envoy condemns violence in Basra

BAGHDAD - The United Nations special envoy to Iraq Jan Kubis on Saturday condemned violence and riots in Iraq's southern province of Basra, and urged Iraqi authorities to ensure law and order.

Report says US was planning coup with rebels in Venezuela

WASHINGTON - Several US media outlets reported on Saturday that the Trump administration has talked secretly with rebellious Venezuelan military officers several times to discuss their plans to stage a coup in the South American country.

PM visits Hokkaido as toll hits 42

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the quake-hit northern region of Hokkaido on Sunday, as officials confirmed two more deaths bringing the toll to 42.

Activists criticize vandalism of 'comfort women' memorial statue in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO - A "comfort women" memorial in San Francisco in California has recently become the target of vandalism ahead of the anniversary of its installment, and activists said the act may have been motivated by hate.

Trump slams NYT as aides cry 'Not me!'

WASHINGTON - One after another, US President Donald Trump's top lieutenants stepped forward to declare: "Not me."

Leading candidate injured in knife attack

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro is in serious condition after being hospitalized from a stab wound, local media reported on Thursday.

Idlib crisis dominates summit in Teheran

TEHERAN - The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey began a meeting in the Iranian capital on Friday to discuss the fate of the rebelheld province of Idlib in Syria as rival factions there prepared for what could be the conflict's last major battle.

West backs UK over alleged poisoning

WASHINGTON - Major Western nations on Thursday expressed firm support for the United Kingdom's accusations against Russia over the alleged poisoning of an ex-spy and his daughter, despite the denial of any involvement from Moscow.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Quake toll rises as rescue continues

TOKYO - Rescue workers with bulldozers and sniffer dogs scrabbled through the mud on Friday to find survivors from a landslide that buried houses after a powerful quake, as the death toll rose to 18.

Indian women empowered through blogging

NEW DELHI - The empowerment of women is being witnessed in India through the blogging platform "wemedia", thanks to Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.