SPAIN

Two migrants die, 1,000 saved at sea

BARCELONA — Two migrants died in the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday during a rescue operation that saved more than 1,000 others who were attempting the dangerous crossing to Europe. Proactiva Open Arms, a Spanish aid group, said that while two migrants perished in international waters off the Libyan coast, Proactiva and five other humanitarian organizations saved 1,058 migrants after intercepting several smugglers’ boats. Two migrants were said to be in critical condition. (AP)

BRAZIL

Court ruling helps embattled leader

RIO DE JANEIRO — Fighting to save his job, President Michel Temer has received a huge boost from a decision by the country’s top electoral court to reject allegations of illegal campaign finance and keep him in office. The Superior Electoral Tribunal’s 4-to-3 vote late Friday gave Temer a lifeline amid widespread calls that he resign in the face of a corruption scandal. He is being investigated on accusations of taking of bribes and endorsing hush money for an imprisoned ally. (AP)

PAKISTAN

Muslim executed in blasphemy case

MULTAN — A minority Shi’ite Muslim was sentenced to death in Pakistan for sharing blasphemous content about Islam on social media. Judge Shabbir Ahmed announced the sentence for 30-year-old Taimoor Raza on Saturday in Bahawalpur in eastern Punjab province. Raza was arrested last year after allegedly posting derogatory content about Sunni Muslim religious leaders and the wives of the prophet Mohammed on Facebook. (AP)

Qatar

Refiner says rift won’t hurt supply

DOHA — State-run Qatar Petroleum sought to reassure the public Saturday, saying its production of oil and gas has not been impacted by tensions in the Gulf that saw several Arab states block their airspace, ports, and shipping lanes to Qatar. Several Arab states, including Saudia Arabia and Egypt, have accused the country to fostering terrorism. Qatar Petroleum said it has taken steps to supply its customers. More than a third of the world’s liquefied natural gas trade comes from Qatar. (AP)

ETHIOPIA

Drought depleting emergency food aid

WARDER — Ethiopia’s government is warning it will run out of emergency food aid starting next month as the number of drought victims in the East African country has reached 7.8 million. An international delegation visited one of the worst-affected areas Friday near the border with Somalia, which is also affected. (AP)