Assad highlights cooperation with Iran

DAMASCUS - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday underscored the importance of placing long-term cooperation plans between Iran and Syria in the face of the challenges, according to the state news agency SANA.

IS chief killed in missile strike

JALALABAD, Afghanistan - The top leader of the Islamic State group outfit in Afghanistan has been killed by long-range missiles fired by US-led NATO coalition forces that struck IS hideouts in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar, said a statement on Monday.

Florida gunman may have been disgruntled gamer

FLORIDA - Police searched on Monday for a motive in the third mass shooting in the US state of Florida in two years, which left two people dead and 11 wounded in Jacksonville, before the gunman killed himself at a video game tournament.

Lawmakers propose national service for Germans, migrants

Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (known as CDU) has proposed a new form of compulsory national service in Germany for all young people and migrants, though the leader has rejected the idea.

California passes bill to officially recognize Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year, the grandest celebration for Chinese and many other Asian cultures, was designated a day of special cultural significance in California when Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law on Friday.

ROK says Pompeo's canceled visit impacts DPRK office plans

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea's presidential Blue House said Monday that the cancellation of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will influence the opening date of the inter-Korean liaison office.

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'Maverick' McCain dies, age 81

WASHINGTON - US Senator John McCain, a two-time contender for the US presidency, died at his home in the state of Arizona on Saturday, his office said in a statement. He was 81.

Abe set for new term despite flat ratings

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Sunday his candidacy for a ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership election that he is expected to win despite flat ratings and low expectations for his economic policies.

Australia PM rewards allies, keeps rebels in cabinet as Bishop resigns

SYDNEY - New Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison rewarded supporters and extended an olive branch to rebel right-wingers as he unveiled his "new generation" cabinet on Sunday after taking power in a party-room coup.

Farmers 'furious' over Trump land tweet

BELA BELA, South Africa - Farmers in the country have demanded Donald Trump "leave us the hell alone" after the US president criticized the country's land reform plans, accusing him of trying to deflect attention from his own scandals.

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