Philippine Catholics lash themselves in penance ahead of Easter
Dozens of barefoot penitents in the Philippines whipped themselves and carried large wooden crosses in sweltering heat on Thursday as they participated in a ritual ahead of Easter in Asia’s biggest Catholic nation.
Sporadic violence as millions vote in second phase of India’s mammoth election
Millions of voters across swathes of southern India cast ballots on Thursday in the second phase of a mammoth, staggered general election, as sporadic violence flared in the east and the insurgency-wracked state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Erdogan says party will fight until Turkey’s election board decides
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday his AK Party would fight until the High Election Board (YSK) gives a final ruling on March 31 local elections, a day after the main opposition candidate took the Istanbul mayor’s office.
Madeira mourns 29 German bus crash victims as foreign minister heads for island
Madeira began three days of mourning on Thursday for 29 German tourists who died after their bus veered off a steep road, as Germany’s foreign minister and a trauma team flew to the Portuguese island to meet survivors.
Indonesia President Joko Widodo declares victory in presidential race
Indonesian President Joko Widodo declared victory on Thursday in the race to lead the world’s third-largest democracy, saying unofficial results showed his ticket had got 54 percent of the popular vote in Wednesday’s election.
Armed group attacks air base in southern Libya controlled by Haftar: officials
An armed group on Thursday attacked a major air base in southern Libya controlled by eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar who has moved much of his forces north to try take the capital Tripoli, officials said.
Time-lapse shots of Notre-Dame spire may offer clues on blaze
A time lapse camera installed just hours before Monday’s devastating blaze at Notre-Dame de Paris may contain vital clues as to what caused the inferno, a French scaffolding company working at the cathedral said on Thursday.
Pro-EU alliance heads for majority but eurosceptic vote to rise: EU election survey
An alliance of pro-EU conservative, socialist and liberal parties would win an absolute majority in next month’s European Parliament election, though eurosceptic groups will gain ground, a survey showed on Thursday.
Bahrain mass trial raises deep concern: U.N. rights chief
United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Thursday she was concerned that a Bahrain mass trial that revoked the nationality of 138 people this week had not met international fair trial standards.
Salvini advisor under investigation for alleged corruption: judicial sources
Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into corruption allegations against a junior transport minister who serves as economic adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, judicial sources said on Thursday.
