AP, Jakarta
Authorities bolstered security in the Indonesian capital Friday as hearings began in a court challenge to the results of April’s presidential election.
The losing candidate former Gen. Prabowo Subianto claims there was massive electoral fraud and is asking the Constitutional Court to invalidate the election. The court is expected to rule by June 28.
China turns its anger on ‘Cold War warrior’ Pompeo
Reuters, Beijing
Beijing has found its villain in its multi-fronted conflict with the United States: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The former CIA chief has been singled out for scorn, in Chinese state media and even at the foreign ministry, over his criticism of everything from Chinese tech giant Huawei to its record on human rights.
5 suspects in Easter bombings extradited to Sri Lanka
AP, Colombo
Sri Lankan police say five key suspects in Easter Sunday bomb attacks on churches and hotels have been extradited from a Middle Eastern country.
Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara says the suspects arrived early Friday from Saudi Arabia after their arrest in an unspecified Middle Eastern country.
Belgium takes back six orphaned IS children
Reuters, Beirut
Belgium has taken back six orphaned children of Islamic State members from Syria, the U.S.-backed militia which is holding thousands of militants and their family members said late on Thursday.
“This must be extended to men and women in our camps and prison, not only children,” Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said on Twitter, announcing Belgium’s move.
Brazil SC criminalizes homophobia
AFP, Brasília
Brazil’s Supreme Court voted Thursday to criminalize homophobia, an important step for sexual minorities in one of the most dangerous countries for LGBT people in the world.
The Supreme Federal Court (STF), which voted eight to three in favor of the measure, classified homophobia as a crime similar to racism, until Congress-which is held by a conservative majority and is strongly influenced by evangelical churches-passes a law specifically addressing such discrimination.
