Suicide bomber kills 8 at Afghan election rally Reuters, Kabul

A suspected suicide bomb attack at an election rally in southern Afghanistan yesterday killed at least eight people and wounded 10 others, officials said. The attack took place in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand, a southern province bordering Pakistan that has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the Taliban insurgency.

Duterte says cancer tests negative

AFP, Manila

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday that recent cancer tests came back negative, just days after sparking speculation when he revealed doctors were checking him for the disease. Duterte, 73, has regularly prompted theorising about his health by discussing his ailments in public since taking power in 2016.

Kim invites Pope to North Korea

Reuters, Seoul

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang in a gesture designed to highlight peace efforts on the Korean peninsula, South Korea said yesterday. North Korea and the Vatican have no formal diplomatic relations. South Korean President Moon Jae-in will deliver Kim's invitation when he meets Francis next week during a trip to Europe.

Nine killed in India steel plant blast

TNN, Raipur

At least nine people were dead and 14 injured in a pipeline blast that took place at the Bhilai steel plant (BSP). The explosion at the plant of the state-owned Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) took place at around 11:30 am. Condition of five injured is stated to be very critical and fire tenders were still trying to douse the flames.