India braces for face-off after lifting of ban on temple entry for women of menstrual age
Hundreds of members of a conservative Hindu group in southern India will lie down at the entrance of a hill temple to stop women of menstruating age from entering, its chief said, even after the top court last week lifted a centuries-old ban.
Pakistan opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif arrested ahead of polls
Pakistani opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif was arrested on Friday in a longstanding corruption case, the country’s anti-graft agency said, nine days before crucial by-elections are due to be held.
Russia deployment of S-300 in Syria risks military escalation: France
Russia’s deployment of the S-300 anti-aircraft defense system in Syria risks fuelling military escalation and hindering prospects for a political solution to the seven-year conflict, France’s foreign ministry said on Friday.
Ethiopia’s ruling coalition re-elects PM Abiy Ahmed as its chair
Ethiopia’s ruling EPRDF coalition on Friday extended the chairmanship of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, an official said, further anchoring the authority of the 42-year-old leader as he pushes through sweeping political and economic reforms.
Lebanese Christian clash overshadows Hariri optimism on new government
Lebanon’s leading Christian parties clashed on Friday over how power should be divided in a new unity government, casting doubt over Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri’s prediction that one will be agreed soon.
Chinese Interpol chief reported missing on home visit, say French police
Interpol’s president Meng Hongwei has been reported missing after traveling to his native China last week, French police said on Friday.
Vietnam jails five people accused of attempting to overthrow state
A Vietnamese court found five people guilty of attempting to overthrow the state on Friday, and sentenced them to between eight and 15 years in prison, police said after a one-day trial in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nobel-awarding Swedish Academy elects new members after rape scandal
The Swedish Academy named two new members on Friday as part of efforts to rebuild the scandal-hit institution and ensure it can return to its function of selecting the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Girl alone in Indonesia quake zone: ‘If you talk to her, she cries’
A day after last week’s powerful earthquake and tsunami pummeled the Indonesian city of Palu and surrounding areas, a terrified young girl was dropped off in the courtyard of a military hospital.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mukwege says was in surgery when he heard the news
Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege said on Friday he was in surgery when he heard the news he had been named a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
