European Union officials gathered in Luxembourg on Monday to discuss the sinking of a crowded boat in the Mediterranean Sea. The boat was carrying hundreds of people hoping to immigrate to Europe. It sank over the weekend off the coast of Libya. About 700 people may have drowned. Late Sunday, officials said just 28 people had been found alive. Rescue workers say most of the missing appeared to have been trapped in the wreckage at the bottom of the sea.
On Monday, crews rescued Syrian migrants from another boat off the coast of Sicily. Thirteen children were among the 98 migrants. Their boat had set sail from Turkey.
Al-Shabab Bomb Attack in Northern Somalia
The militant group al-Shabab is claiming responsibility for bombing a United Nations bus in northern Somalia. At least nine people were killed in the attack. The United Nations said four of those killed were working for the U.N. Children’s Fund.
Police said the bomb exploded Monday in Garowe, a town in the Puntland area of Somalia. It was al-Shabab’s third deadly attack against foreigners in three days.
Al-Shabab is seeking to oust the Somali government and create an Islamic state.
Chinese President in Pakistan
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, for a two-day visit. He and Pakistani leaders were expected to talk about energy projects and plans for building roads and railroads. The two sides also may sign an agreement for Pakistan to buy eight submarines from China.
Mr. Xi is to speak to Pakistan’s parliament. The Chinese leader was to have visited Pakistan last year. But an anti-government protest forced him to wait until now.
US, Philippines Launch Major Military Training
The United States and the Philippines have launched their biggest joint military exercise in 15 years.
About 11,000 troops from both countries are taking part in the training. The exercise is two times as large as the one last year.
The program is part of an effort by the United States to increase its presence in Asia in answer to China’s increased activities in the South China Sea.
