Stiffer gun control unlikely, experts say

With mass shootings all too common, it appears that no place in the United States is safe from carnage - not churches, not schools, not even the morning newscast.

Boat packed with refugees sinks, 200 feared drowned

A boat packed with mainly African migrants bound for Italy sank off the Libyan coast on Thursday and officials said up to 200 may have died.

Truck migrants death toll rises above 70 in Austria

A truck full of refugees discovered abandoned on an Austrian motorway on Thursday contains more than 70 bodies, including four children, the interior ministry said on Friday, announcing an updated death toll.

Students on hunger strike over security bills

A group of Tokyo university students have staged a rare hunger strike in front of Japan's parliament as they protest against security bills that critics fear would drag the country into foreign wars.

Top court judge appointed caretaker PM before elections

Greece's top Supreme Court judge was sworn in as caretaker prime minister on Thursday to lead the country to elections next month, ending a week of political deadlock after former prime minister Alexis Tsipras resigned.

Pakistan army: 6 civilians killed in Indian shelling

At least six Pakistani civilians were killed and 46 others, including 22 women, were injured in the latest Indian shelling on Friday. They are the largest casualties on a single day in recent cross-border attacks, the Pakistani military said.

IN BRIEF (Page 9)

Heel on wheels turns heads

A giant, bright-red motorized stiletto-heel shoe is not what you expect to see cruising down the avenues of Iran's capital, but it certainly attracts attention, and business, for intrepid shoeshine man "Aliwaxima".

Sikh's free meals for thousands exemplifies service

Harjeet Singh can usually be found riding around New Delhi on his Harley-Davidson Superlow, or helping foreign companies set up operations in India. At home, the businessman has staff to clean and cook for his family. But at the gurdwara where he worships alongside other Sikhs, he sweeps the floor, cleans dirty dishes and helps prepare meals for thousands not as fortunate as him.

Schools barred from showing gay film

A film about children with same-sex parents has been barred from public schools throughout Australia's most populous state, at least during school hours.

Young hopefuls compete to become first black African in space

In half a century of space travel, more than 500 people have glimpsed the Earth from the unique vantage point of the cosmos. Yet no black African has been among them.

Around the world

Qatar Airways has relaxed controversial policies that saw cabin crew fired if they became pregnant or got married within the first five years of employment, airline officials said on Wednesday.