Ousted Pakistani PM Sharif sentenced to prison in absentia ahead of polls
A Pakistani court on Friday sentenced ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to 10 years in prison over his family’s purchase of upscale London flats in a major blow to his party ahead of a general election in July.
Germany warns of security risks in dogmatic EU approach to Brexit: FT
Germany’s interior minister has warned the European Union that it risks putting lives at risk with a dogmatic approach to Brexit that would hamper reaching an unlimited security deal with Britain, the Financial Times reported.
Still too many questions, few answers in Brexit talks: EU’s Barnier
There are still too many questions and too few answers in talks between the European Union and Britain over the country’s withdrawal from the bloc, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday.
German coalition reaches deal on migration, no transit centers
The parties in Germany’s ruling coalition on Thursday reached agreement on a package of measures to deal with asylum-seekers who have already registered in other European Union states, and vowed to push ahead with an immigration law before year’s end.
Vatican diplomat who helped heal wounds with Islam dies
French cardinal and former Vatican foreign minister Jean-Louis Tauran, who helped improve ties between the Roman Catholic Church and the Muslim world, has died aged 75, the Vatican said on Friday.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa assures Zulu king, tribal leaders on land issue
South Africa’s land redistribution drive will not affect communal lands controlled by tribal chiefs, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday, in a bid to defuse growing tensions over the issue.
Jordan beefs up border defenses with Syrian army at frontier
Jordan’s army has sent reinforcements to its northern border with Syria as Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes appear poised to seize the main frontier crossing from rebels, officials said on Friday.
Syria government forces close in on Jordan crossing: pro-Damascus commander
Government forces in south Syria are advancing along the frontier with Jordan and will soon reach a border crossing in rebel hands, a pro-Damascus commander said on Friday, in a push to recapture one of the country’s last rebel strongholds.
Thailand’s trapped boys: careless or courageous?
Round-the-clock efforts by rescue teams in Thailand to save 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooded cave have prompted some Thais to turn to social media to ask why they went in at all, and whether they deserve to be called heroes.
‘See you in Chiang Rai’: Sports-loving ex-navy SEAL dies in Thai cave rescue
Wearing a gray polo shirt and blue, tinted glasses, Samarn Kunan, 38, took a video before boarding a flight on July 1 to join Thai and international teams in northern Thailand searching for 12 boys and their soccer coach missing in a cave.
