Briefly

CYPRUS

Former minister wins presidential election

Former foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides was elected as the new president of Cyprus in a runoff election on Sunday, pledging to revive stalemated reunification talks with the country's breakaway Turkish Cypriots and to form a coalition government with women filling half of the Cabinet positions. With all ballots counted, Christodoulides had 51.9 percent of the vote, and his runoff rival, veteran diplomat Andreas Mavroyiannis, had 48.1 percent. Mavroyiannis conceded defeat before the vote tally was complete. Christodoulides, 49, campaigned as a unifying force for Cyprus.

UNITED STATES

New document found in Pence's home

The FBI discovered an additional document with classified markings at former vice-president Mike Pence's Indiana home during a search, following the discovery by his lawyers last month of sensitive government documents there. The search on Friday was described as consensual after negotiations between Pence's representatives and the Justice Department. Pence is now the third current or former top US official, joining former president Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, to have their homes scoured by FBI agents for classified records.

INDIA

Modi aims to triple defense exports to $5b

India wants to more than triple annual defense exports to $5 billion by 2024-25 from its current $1.5 billion as it looks to ramp up domestic manufacturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday while inaugurating the Aero India show. The country is looking to sign defense deals worth 750 billion rupees ($9 billion) at the biennial five-day event, its biggest ever, as its airlines try to complete jetliner purchases to meet civilian demand and press global aircraft manufacturers to produce more locally, mainly through partnerships.

THE PHILIPPINES

Activists slam planned pact with Japan, US

An organization fighting for justice for Philippine sexual slavery victims of the Japanese army during World War II said on Monday that it "staunchly opposes" the planned security pact of the Philippines, Japan and the United States. The group Lila Pilipina expressed concern about the possibility of the Philippines being used as "cannon fodder" after the Philippine government said it will study a tripartite agreement with the US and Japan as part of strengthening the alliance. Lila Pilipina urged the Philippine government to take a nonaligned position.

Agencies - Xinhua