News in Brief -(13-05-2019)

Merkel's preferred successor says won't seek post before 2021

BERLIN, May 12: German Chancellor Angela Merkel's preferred successor, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, said Sunday that she would not seek the top job before Merkel's term ends in 2021. The woman usually dubbed "AKK" took over from Merkel as head of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) last December, while the chancellor said she wants to serve out her 2017-2021 term. — AFP

Eight 'terrorist' suspects die in S Arabia

RIYADH, May 12: Eight members of a "terrorist" cell were killed on Saturday in a police raid in Saudi Arabia's eastern Qatif region, a Shiite minority stronghold, state media reported. The recently-formed cell was preparing to carry out "terrorist" activities against the security of the country, the official Saudi Press Agency reported citing a state security spokesman. — AFP

Authorities find 35 bodies in Mexico mass graves

GUADALAJARA, May 12: Local authorities have discovered the remains of 35 people in mass graves in violent Jalisco state, on Mexico's central Pacific coast, officials said Saturday. Prosecutor Gerardo Octavio Solis said most of the bodies were located at a ranch in the town of Zapopan. Among the dead, "27 of the bodies had been tied up when killed. — AFP