Sri Lanka extends emergency for third month after Easter bombings
Sri Lanka on Saturday extended a law granting security forces emergency powers into third month following the Easter Day bomb attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people.
British police called to home of PM candidate Boris Johnson after altercation
British police were called to the home of Boris Johnson, the favorite to be the next prime minister, after neighbors heard a loud altercation between him and his girlfriend.
Mauritanians vote for new president, but status quo likely to prevail
For the first time since Mauritania’s independence, its citizens voted on Saturday for a successor to a democratically-elected president, though a government insider campaigning on a message of continuity is heavily tipped to win.
Iran says it will respond firmly to any U.S. threat: Tasnim
Iran said on Saturday it would respond firmly to any U.S. threat against it, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, amid escalating tension between Tehran and Washington over the shooting down of an unmanned U.S. drone by the Islamic Republic.
Southeast Asian leaders open summit in Bangkok
Southeast Asian leaders opened a two-day summit in Bangkok on Saturday, though it was unclear what progress their 10-country group could make on disputes in the South China Sea and the plight of ethnic Rohingya fleeing Myanmar.
UAE civil aviation authority instructs airlines to take necessary safety measures: WAM
The United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority on Saturday instructed airlines registered in the country to take necessary measures given current risks in the region, Emirates News Agency (WAM) said.
U.N. rights chief Bachelet urges Venezuela to release prisoners
U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Friday urged Venezuela’s government to release prisoners who were arrested for peacefully protesting, and confirmed that a delegation would remain in the country to monitor the human rights situation.
El Salvador takes aim at imprisoned gang leaders ability to make calls
It will be much harder for El Salvador’s prison population, including gang leaders, to communicate with those on the outside after the government on Friday ordered mobile telephone service providers to disable their signals in the facilities.
Hong Kong protesters disperse after blockading police headquarters
Thousands of protesters who had blockaded police headquarters in Asia’s leading financial center had mostly dispersed by Saturday morning with some roads reopened for traffic as normal but it remained unclear whether further mass protests would take pl…
Kim, Xi agree to grow ties whatever external situation: North Korean media
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and China’s President Xi Jinping reached a consensus on “important issues,” and agreed to build on their countries’ friendly relations “whatever the international situation,” North Korean state media reported.
