Blasphemy ruling could signal strength of hardliners in Pakistan

(CNN)On Monday, Pakistan's Supreme Court heard the final appeal of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy in November 2010.The verdict, not yet issued, could well signal if the hardline Islamists, who seek to create a full-blown theocracy, are gaining influence throughout the country and helping to shape its future.Bibi's case began on June 14, 2009, when...

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Queensland storm: Tornadoes and huge hailstones wreak damage

Tornadoes and a thunderstorm "supercell" have swept across Queensland in Australia, injuring four people and causing widespread damage.The dangerous weather system hit the state's south-east on Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said.One tornado struck Tansey, a town 250km (155 miles) north of Brisbane, snapping trees and ripping roofs from houses.Elsewhere, four people...

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Hurricane Michael leaves 'unimaginable destruction'

Hurricane Michael left "unimaginable destruction" as it ploughed into coastal areas of Florida, the state's governor, Rick Scott says."So many lives have been changed forever," he said. "So many families have lost everything."The worst hit areas of Florida's northwest coast saw houses ripped from their foundations, trees felled, and power lines strewn across streets.Hurricane...

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South Korea's Moon optimistic about end to Korean War

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has told the BBC that it is only a matter of time before the US and North Korea declare an end to their state of war on the Korean peninsula.The war ended in 1953 with an armistice but a peace treaty was never signed.Mr Moon, the son of North Korean refugees, also said there could be more diplomatic "bumps and bruises" as he tries to persuade...

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Search for missing after 15 killed in Europe floods

The search continues for missing people following flash flooding in parts of Spain, Italy and France.Twelve died - including a British couple - when torrential rain lashed eastern Majorca in Spain. A five-year-old local boy is still missing.Three Germans and a Dutch woman were among those who lost their lives.A flash flood on France's south coast killed two people in Sainte-Maxime...

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Investigation starts into dramatic Soyuz rocket breakdown

Russian officials are investigating the cause of a booster problem that forced a Soyuz rocket capsule to make an emergency landing just after launch.The two crew members, Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and American astronaut Nick Hague, are in good health, officials say.They were heading for a six-month mission on the International Space Station when their flight was aborted.Their...

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