Sri Lanka’s Buddhists mark somber Vesak after Easter Sunday attacks
Buddhist Sri Lankans marked the festival of Vesak in low key celebrations on Saturday amid heightened religious tensions in the Indian Ocean nation following the deadly Easter Sunday attacks that killed more than 250 people.
Forces loyal to Libya’s U.N.-backed government receive military hardware
A coalition of forces allied with Libya’s U.N.-backed government of national accord (GNA) said it had received a shipment of armored vehicles and arms on Saturday as it tries to stop Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) from taking the capital, …
Thousands rally in Belfast in support of same-sex marriage
Thousands of people marched through Belfast on Saturday to demand the recognition of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, the only region of the United Kingdom where it does not have legal status.
Austria far right leader quits after video corruption sting; snap election possible
Austria appeared headed for a snap election on Saturday after its far right party leader quit as the government’s number two, over video showing him discussing state contracts in return for favors from a woman posing as a Russian oligarch’s niece.
Armenian court frees ex-president Kocharyan from pre-trial arrest
An Armenian court on Saturday ordered former president Robert Kocharyan freed on bail from pre-trial detention, local news agencies reported.
Maltese police question two soldiers over shooting of migrant
Maltese police on Saturday said they were questioning two soldiers over a drive-by shooting in April in which an African migrant was killed.
Cristina Fernandez takes surprise back seat in Argentine presidential race
Argentina’s Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will run as a vice presidential candidate in elections later this year, a surprise move by the firebrand former leader who had been widely expected to be the main challenger to incumbent Mauricio Macri.
China’s top diplomat calls for U.S. restraint on trade, Iran
China’s senior diplomat Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday that recent U.S. words and actions had harmed the interests of China and its enterprises, and that Washington should show restraint, China’s foreign ministry said.
Austrian president, Kurz due to speak after far-right leader quits
Austria’s vice chancellor and longtime far-right leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, said on Saturday he was stepping down over “catastrophic” video footage of him that threatens to bring down the right-wing coalition government.
On Eurovision final day, Israelis cheer as Palestinians protest
As singers made last-minute preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Israeli police threw a high-security cordon around the venue to head off attacks, or protests by boycotters who have urged fans to shun the event.
