AFGHANISTAN: The Taliban government rejected US President Donald Trump’s bid to retake Bagram air base today, four years after the latter’s chaotic withdrawal from the country after 11 years of war.

It is unclear what conversations the US has had with Afghan officials about a return, but Mr Trump hinted that the Taliban could be open to allowing the US military back.

The chief Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, rejected Trump’s assertions and urged the US to adopt a policy of “realism and rationality.”

ECUADOR: The electoral council approved a request by President Daniel Noboa at the weekend to organise a referendum asking voters to approve key changes to the nation’s constitution.

Voters will be asked whether a prohibition against foreign military bases in Ecuador should be eliminated. And whether the state should no longer have an obligation to fund political parties.

Mr Noboa has said he would like to increase military co-operation with the US. In 2008, Rafael Correa made it illegal for foreign militaries to run bases in Ecuador.

FRANCE: Several mayors plan to fly Palestinian flags on town halls in defiance of government orders, as France prepared to formally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations general assembly today.

It’s unclear how many cities will join the initiative tomorrow after Socialist leader Olivier Faure’s call to fly the flags.

“The front of a town hall is not a billboard,” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Saturday. “Only the tricolor flag — our colors, our values — has the right to be represented in what remains, for us, a common home.”

PHILIPPINES: Thousands of protesters joined two large, peaceful anti-corruption demonstrations in Manila today.

Public outrage has erupted after a wealthy couple who ran several construction companies that won lucrative flood-control project contracts were shown with dozens of luxury cars in media interviews. 

“I feel bad that we wallow in poverty, and lose our homes, our lives and our future while they rake in a big fortune from our taxes that pay for their luxury cars, foreign trips and bigger corporate transactions,” student activist Althea Trinidad told reporters.