Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa in close fight for president, early vote count shows
Sri Lanka’s former wartime defense chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa was locked in a close fight with his main rival in a presidential election months after deadly militant attacks in the island, early results showed on Sunday.
Brexit Secretary Barclay: EU elites’ sympathies lie with a Corbyn government
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has accused the European Union ‘elites’ of preferring a British government led by current opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn after the upcoming UK elections.
Chile police stopped rescue workers helping dying protester: human rights watchdog
Chile’s independent human rights watchdog said on Saturday it would file a formal complaint for murder against police officers who allegedly prevented paramedics from attending a heart attack victim amid a protest Friday.
U.S. slaps travel sanctions on second senior Cuban official
The Trump administration on Saturday imposed U.S. travel sanctions on a second high-level Cuban official as it increased pressure on its old Cold War foe and Havana’s ongoing support of Venezuela’s socialist president, Nicolas Maduro.
Bushfires conditions worsen in east and west Australia
Rising temperatures, lightning strikes and gusty winds further raised fire danger on both coasts of Australia on Sunday as the country already battles more than 120 bushfires and firefighters work day and night trying to contain them.
U.S. imposes travel ban on Cuba’s interior minister over rights violations in Venezuela
The U.S. State Department on Saturday said it was imposing a travel ban on Cuban Interior Minister Julio Cesar Gandarilla Bermejo and his children, citing the minister’s involvement in what it called “gross violations of human rights in Venezuela.”
Britain’s Prince Andrew ‘categorically’ denies sex claims
Britain’s Prince Andrew said he could not have had sex with a teenage girl at a socialite’s London home because he returned to his house after a children’s party on the night in question and has no recollection of ever meeting her.
China demands repentance from outspoken Australian lawmakers
Two Australian lawmakers who had been denied entry to China for a study tour because of their outspoken criticism of Beijing must “repent and redress their mistakes” if they want to visit the country, China said late on Saturday.
U.S. says no plans to send asylum seekers to remote Guatemalan regions
The U.S. government said on Saturday that it had no plans to send asylum seekers to remote regions in Guatemala after the Central American country floated the plan during negotiations for a bilateral migration agreement this week.
Lebanon’s Safadi withdraws candidacy for PM, urges Hariri for post: statement
Former Lebanese finance minister Mohammad Safadi withdrew his candidacy to be the next prime minister on Saturday, saying that he saw that it would have been difficult to form a “harmonious” cabinet supported by all parties.
