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World in Brief 21/04/14

News stories from around the world

<strong>Philippines:</strong> Officials claimed Monday that at least 15 suspected communist rebels disguised as police shot a mayor and two bodyguards during a flag ceremony.

The attackers scattered leaflets denouncing mining in Cagayan province.

Gonzaga mayor Carlito Pentecostes and his guards died on the spot. The rebels have been fighting against mining companies for decades, accusing them of failing to improve the lives of the poor.

<strong>Japan:</strong> Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a religious offering to a Tokyo shrine that honours executed war criminals Monday.

Abe's offering at the Yasukuni shrine were private and "would not in any way affect summit talks with the US president," said Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

The shrine has been a flashpoint between Japan and neighbours China and both Koreas. They see Yasukuni as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

<strong>Argentina:</strong> The US Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Argentina's decade-long battle with holders of its defaulted bonds.

The court is focusing on whether a nation can be forced to reveal its worldwide assets so plaintiffs can collect on US court judgements.

So far, the courts have backed vulture fund NML Capital in a judgement that would block payments to other bondholders unless it pays the plaintiffs first.

<strong>Somalia:</strong> Police officials said Monday that a legislator in the country's parliament was killed in a car bomb explosion in the capital, Mogadishu.

Isaq Mohamed Rino was killed after a bomb planted under his car exploded in Mogadishu's Hamarweyne neighbourhood. The blast also wounded another MP, Mohamed Ali.

Al-Shabab has claimed the responsibility for the blast which was condemned by the country's prime minister as a "cowardly attack."

<strong>Syria:</strong> The government said Monday that a presidential election would be held on June 3.

Western countries that back President Bashar al-Assad's opponents have called plans for an election a "parody of democracy" and Monzer Akbik of the Western-backed National Coalition opposition claimed the election was a sign Mr Assad was unwilling to seek a political solution to the conflict.

Parliamentary speaker Mohamed Jihad al-Laham said nominations would be accepted until May 1.

<strong>Yemen:</strong> Security officials and tribal chiefs said Monday that a suspected US drone strike has killed several al-Qaida fighters in the country's south, including a local commander.

Yesterday morning's attack targeted the rugged mountainous area of Mahfad between the provinces of Abyan and Shabwa. Tribal leaders identified the killed commander as Munnaser al-Anbouri.

It was the third day of a campaign of drone strikes against the al-Qaida branch in Yemen.

<strong>Canada:</strong> Several thousand people came out in Canada's biggest cities on Sunday to call for the legalisation of cannabis.

The demonstrations took place in Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa.

In Montreal, a strong police presence surrounded the demonstrators, while in Ottawa and Vancouver, pizza chains offered a free slice to any participant in the rally celebrating a drug known to prompt the munchies.

<strong>Romania:</strong> Three people died and 250 were evacuated after heavy rain and flooding hit southern Romania over the weekend.

An 80-year-old man in the southern county of Olt died after a mudslide hit his home and another man in a village near Bucharest also died. Emergency services spokeswoman Madalina Epure said a 13-year-old boy had been found dead Monday having been swept away by floodwaters.

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