From Washington, this is VOA news. I'm David DeForest reporting.

President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke briefly Sunday on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru. They are said to have talked about Syria and Ukraine.

On Saturday, Mr. Obama spoke to young leaders from all over Latin America and told them not to assume the worst about President-elect Donald Trump.

"The outcomes of elections don't always turn out the way you would hope. And then you -- we're going through that in the United States, and I'm doing everything I can to help facilitate a successful transition." :President Obama.

French conservatives voted Sunday in a nationwide primary to choose their nominee for next year's presidential election. The campaign focused on concerns about the influx of migrants into Europe and jihadist attacks on France.

After Britain's Brexit vote and Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential contest, the French presidential vote is shaping up as another effort between mainstream parties and rising populist forces.

Seven candidates were in the running for the first round of the primary, with former President Nicolas Sarkozy and former Prime Ministers François Fillon and Alain Juppe leading the race.

A closely watched contender is the far right's Marine Le Pen, whose criticism of immigration and Muslim practices resonates with many voters.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Sunday she is seeking a fourth term in office.

Ms. Merkel told reporters she had a meeting with high-ranking members of her Christian Democratic Union before officially sharing the decision.

She is seen as a stabilizing force in Europe.

This is VOA news.

Syrian [forces] sources say rebel shelling on a school killed at least seven children Sunday in the government-held part of Aleppo. Dozens were reported wounded by the rocket fire on the Furqan neighborhood.

On Saturday, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice warned the Syrian government and its Russian backers they will be held accountable for the bombings of hospitals in rebel-held portions of Aleppo.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is meeting Sunday with more potential cabinet members and says he could be making additional key appointments to his new administration today.

Trump planned to meet at his golf resort in New Jersey with two of his staunchest defenders, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

U.S. media reports say top U.S. military and intelligence chiefs want President Barack Obama to fire the National Security chief, Admiral Michael Rogers.

The Washington Post was the first to report that Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper made the recommendation last month.

The reason for the push for Rogers's dismissal was not immediately clear.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem says his government is "totally opposed" to a proposal by U.N. envoy Stefan de Mistura for an autonomous zone in the opposition-controlled east of Aleppo. Edward Yeranian reports.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem met with U.N. envoy de Mistura as the government's offensive, combined with Russian airstrikes, continued Sunday against rebel-held eastern Aleppo. Rebel fighters shelled government-controlled districts of the city, with casualties reported on both sides.

Muallem told journalists his government opposes the U.N. envoy's proposal for a self-governing zone in eastern Aleppo.

Edward Yeranian, Cairo.

A train derailment in northern India has killed at least 104 people and injured more than 100.

Rescue workers and volunteers searched through the badly mangled coaches to locate survivors. The derailment happened early Sunday morning near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh state.

It was not immediately clear why 14 of the train's coaches were thrown off the tracks.

Haiti's presidential election is finally taking place after an annulled vote in October and Hurricane Matthew's serious damage in the Caribbean state last month.

Six million Haitians are eligible to vote for one of 27 presidential candidates as well as members of both houses of parliament.

A survey by one pollster shows Jovenel Moise as the most likely presidential winner.

In Washington, I'm David DeForest.

That's the latest world news from VOA.