IN BRIEF (Page 12)

South Africa's ANC wins national election

The victory of South Africa's ruling African National Congress on Saturday marked its weakest showing in national elections in a quarter-century. Nonetheless, incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that the vote had given him and his party "a firm mandate to build a better South Africa for all".

Rouhani urges unity against sanctions

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Saturday for unity among Iran's political factions to overcome conditions which he said may be harder than those during the 1980s war with Iraq, as the country faces tightening US sanctions, Reuters cited state media reports as saying.

Palestine accuses US of attempting to 'delegitimize' President Mahmoud Abbas

RAMALLAH, Palestine - The Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization, or PLO, Saeb Erekat said on Saturday that the US government is trying to "delegitimize" Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Captain in Tasmania sails tourism wave

HOBART, Australia - While it may not be as well recognized as Australia's other iconic locations like Sydney, Uluru or the Great Barrier Reef, the island state of Tasmania, known for its immense natural beauty, is now the nation's fastest-growing tourism destination.

Congressional panel to probe Max 737 jets

Boeing faces major technical and public relations problems as it prepares for this week's hearing of US House of Representatives subcommittee on the status of the 737 Max airliner.

One killed, several injured in Pakistan hotel attack

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - At least one security guard was killed and several people were injured when three or four gunmen stormed a five-star hotel in the Gwadar district of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Saturday, several official reports suggested.

Houthi rebels claim to begin withdrawal from Yemen ports

The United Nations confirmed a withdrawal by Yemen's Houthi rebels from three Red Sea ports had begun on Saturday, Agence France-Presse reported.

Arms control, Iran high on Pompeo's Russia agenda

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will head to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin amid heightened US-Russia tensions over the crisis in Venezuela and the Washington's hardline policy on Iran, the State Department said on Friday, The Associated Press reported.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Alabama delays vote on abortion ban

US Alabama state senate postponed a vote on Thursday on what could be the nation's toughest antiabortion bill.

Ship a healer for poor communities on Colombia's Pacific coast

THE SAN RAFFAELE, Colombia - As a white ship chugs through the muddy waters of the San Juan River, pirogues from the jungle glide toward it almost reverently, bringing their sick to healers they liken to angels.