Qatar accuses Saudis of barring haj pilgrims, Riyadh says untrue
Qatar has accused Saudi Arabia of barring its citizens from this year’s haj, something Riyadh denies, saying a diplomatic dispute is not stopping Qataris from making the pilgrimage to Mecca.
New car found in rubble of collapsed Genoa bridge: authorities
Another car has been found by rescue workers searching the rubble of a collapsed motorway bridge in the northern Italian city of Genoa, local authorities said on Saturday.
Italy’s Autostrade to announce plan for victims, city after bridge collapse
Italy’s Autostrade per l’Italia said it would hold a news conference in Genoa on Saturday to announce initiatives it would take after the collapse of a motorway bridge.
Iran says navy mounts new defense system on warship
Iran’s navy has mounted a locally built advanced defensive weapons system on one of its warships for the first time, the Iranian navy chief was quoted as saying on Saturday, as tensions mount with the U.S. military in the Gulf.
Former cricketer Imran Khan sworn-in as Pakistan’s prime minister
Former cricket star Imran Khan was sworn-in as prime minister of Pakistan on Saturday, taking on the challenge of forming a coalition to govern as a currency crisis looms over the turbulent, nuclear-armed South Asian country.
Chinese President Xi to visit North Korea next month: Straits Times
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Pyongyang next month at the invitation of North Korea leader Kim Jong Un to attend the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper reported.
Amid Vatican talks, China official says foreign forces can’t control religion
Religious matters in China cannot be controlled by foreigners, Beijing’s seniormost official for religion wrote in a Communist Party journal, amid talks with the Vatican to resolve a dispute over the appointment of Catholic bishops.
China sacks six senior officials at food and drug regulator over vaccine scandal
China said on Saturday it has sacked six senior officials at its food and drug regulator after a safety scandal at vaccine maker Changsheng Biotechnology Co Ltd revealed failings at the government body including inadequate supervision.
Mexico navy says finds 50 tons of meth in mountain lab
Mexican marines on Friday said they had discovered an underground drug lab in the mountains outside the capital of Sinaloa state where they destroyed 50 tons of methamphetamine.
China complains about Pentagon report, says it is ‘pure guesswork’
China’s Defence Ministry has lodged a complaint with the United States about a Pentagon report that said China’s military was likely training for strikes against the United States and its allies, saying it was “pure guesswork”.
