Iran describes US moves as desperate

TEHERAN - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday dismissed the United States' political and economic pressures against the Islamic republic as desperate.

White House claims Saudi may boost oil production

WASHINGTON/RIYADH - The leader of Saudi Arabia promised US President Donald Trump that he can raise oil production if needed and the country has 2 million barrels per day of spare capacity, the White House said on Saturday, rowing back on an earlier Trump tweet that appeared to suggest the Saudis had agreed to boost output by that amount.

Spain to take in NGO rescue ship carrying 59 migrants from Libya

MADRID - A Spanish NGO said on Saturday it had rescued 59 migrants as they tried to cross the Mediterranean from Libya and would dock in Spain after Italy and Malta refused access.

Syrian military takes towns from rebels

DAMASCUS - The Syrian military operation in the southern province of Daraa continued on Saturday amid ongoing reconciliation efforts, and more towns returned under the government control, local media said.

Rallies across US against Trump's immigration policy

Thousands call for families to be reunited during protests over detention facilities

Pence praise provokes charge of 'hypocrisy'

US Vice-President Mike Pence's trip to South and Central America last week to rally support for putting pressure on Venezuela was overshadowed by widespread protests against the recent US "zero tolerance" immigration policy.

Merkel seeks to placate rebels on migration

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her CDU party will discuss plans to reduce immigration on Sunday as conservative rebels also meet, in key talks likely to determine the fate of her government.

MH370 memorial shelved after protest by relatives

PERTH, Australia - Plans to erect a memorial honoring the passengers and crew of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 were shelved by Australia on Sunday after protests by relatives of the victims.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Chinese tourists grab attention of world tourism sector

Ever-increasing numbers of Chinese tourists are traveling overseas, and in response, Western media and tourism companies have begun paying more attention to meeting their needs and attracting their business.

Hotel veteran chases dream to be a painter

For Philippe Caretti, quitting his job in December as a senior executive who helped run a top Hong Kong hotel means he now has the time to devote to his passion to be an artist.

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