Hamas accepts cease-fire after strikes

GAZA/JERUSALEM - A truce between Israel and Hamas largely held on Saturday a day after one of the most fierce flare-ups along the volatile border in years.

Aid arrives in Syria as leaders act on joint mission

CHEAUROUX - Humanitarian aid sent by France and Russia arrived in Syria on Saturday as the two countries' leaders discussed a joint mission to distribute much-needed relief supplies in a ravaged former rebel enclave.

India scraps tax on sanitary pads

NEW DELHI - India has withdrawn a controversial tax on sanitary pads following a vocal campaign led by activists and Bollywood stars to boost female education and empowerment.

UK to refuse Brexit bill without trade deal: report

LONDON - The United Kingdom will only pay its EU divorce bill if the bloc agrees the framework for a future trade deal, the new Brexit Secretary warned in an interview published on Sunday.

'Keep us in prayer' says woman who lost 9 family members in sinking

BRANSON, Missouri - A woman whose nine family members were among the 17 people killed when a tourist duck boat capsized in a storm on a Missouri lake said on Saturday she is not sure if there is any way to recover from such a loss.

Russia, US discuss ties, cooperation

MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks on improving relations and possible cooperation on Syria and the Korean Peninsula, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

President preaches peace ahead of vote

HARARE - Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday reminded supporters of his ruling ZANU-PF party to shun political violence as he aimed toward a clean and violence-free victory in the July 30 elections.

Rouhani warns over Teheran campaign

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has launched an offensive of speeches and online communications meant to foment unrest and help pressure Iran to end its nuclear program and its support of militant groups, US officials familiar with the matter said.

Pressure on for Macron over aide scandal

PARIS - The most damaging scandal of Emmanuel Macron's presidency deepened on Saturday with his interior minister due to face a grilling in parliament over his response to a top security aide of Macron caught on video beating up a young man at a Paris protest in May.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

English teaching needs to focus on communication

English-language education should not be just teaching of the language, but a medium that can foster communication between cultures and promote wholistic development, experts said on Friday at the ongoing 2018 TESOL China Assembly.

Participants gain insights on modern trends

Discussions and deliberations at the ongoing 2018 TESOL China Assembly are helping English-language educators and participants gain valuable insights and modern techniques in foreign language teaching and learning.