News in Brief
Jacob Zuma admitted to hospital
Afp, Johannesburg
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma was admitted to hospital for tests, his office announced yesterday. Zuma's spokesman Mac Maharaj told AFP the president has been advised to get some rest, but "there is no cause for concern. It's a case of exhaustion.”
Verdict postponed for Egypt Islamist chief
Afp, Cairo
An Egyptian court yesterday postponed to July 5 the verdict in the trial of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and 37 others for inciting violence that killed two people last summer. But it sentenced to death 10 defendants who are on the run, and a final ruling on their cases is expected the same day once they are reviewed.
Thai junta relaxes curfew for full moon party
Afp, Bangkok
Ravers will be able to dance until dawn at Thailand's notorious full moon party on Phangan island as usual after the junta granted a curfew exemption from June 9 to 13, tourism authorities said. Phangan, in the Gulf of Thailand near Koh Samui, draws thousands of backpackers to its hedonistic full moon event, billed as one of the biggest beach parties in the world, where drugs and alcohol are rife.
Italian navy rescues 1,000 migrants
Afp, Rome
The Italian coastguard rescued more than 1,000 migrants from three separate boats early yesterday, in the second such operation in two days, officials said. The rescue came a day after the Italian navy picked up another 2,500 asylum-seekers from 17 boats, as good weather conditions in the Mediterranean further boost the influx of migrants desperate to reach Europe.
Blasts kill two Pakistani soldiers
Afp, Islamabad
Two soldiers were killed yesterday in separate bomb blasts in a restive Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border, the military said. The explosions took place in Bajaur tribal district, one of the seven semi-autonomous tribal regions, where troops have been battling Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants.
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