Myanmar’s Rohingya panel head refutes criticism by outgoing secretary
The chairman of an international panel set up by Myanmar to advise on the Rohingya crisis has rebutted criticism by the body’s former secretary, saying the panel is effective and the government has acted on its recommendations.
Jordan allows passage to 800 Syrian civil defense workers on humanitarian grounds
Jordan said on Sunday that it had allowed the UN to arrange the entry and passage of 800 Syrian civil defense workers whose lives were in danger after a government offensive that regained rebel-held parts of southern Syria, a foreign ministry spokesman…
Eleven taxi drivers shot dead in South Africa on return from funeral
Gunmen have shot dead 11 taxi drivers returning to Johannesburg from the funeral of a colleague in Kwa-Zulu Natal, a police spokesman said on Sunday.
Magnitude 4.7 and 5.7 quakes strike southern Iran: state TV
Two earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.7 and 5.7 respectively struck Hormozgan province in southern Iran on Sunday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, state television reported.
Hundreds of Syrian ‘White Helmets’ evacuated by Israel to Jordan: reports
About 800 members of Syria’s White Helmets civil defense group and their families were evacuated via Israel to Jordan on Sunday from southwest Syria, where a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive is under way, media said.
Hardline Islamists push religion to center of Pakistan election
Pakistani cleric Hafiz Saeed is one of the United States’ most-wanted terrorist suspects, accused over the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. At home, his charities are banned, as is a new Islamist political party launched by his followers.
Factbox: Islamist parties running in Pakistan’s election
Religious parties – some new, others long-established – are fielding more than 1,500 candidates for national and provincial assemblies in Pakistan’s general election on July 25.
Cuba aims to build socialism, not communism, in draft constitution
A draft of Cuba’s new constitution omits the aim of building communism, recognizes private property and opens the door to gay marriage, in a sign of changing times, although it keeps the Communist Party as the guiding force of the one-party system.
Mexico’s outgoing and incoming ministers meet ahead of key trade talks
Members of Mexico’s incoming and outgoing presidential administrations gathered on Saturday to begin collaborating before a series of key meetings on trade, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
In Senegal, China’s President Xi pledges stronger Africa ties
China’s President Xi Jinping pledged during a visit to Senegal on Saturday to strengthen economic ties with Africa, a continent already awash with cheap Chinese loans in exchange for minerals and huge construction projects.
