Pakistan

Former PM, wife sentenced to prison

ISLAMABAD — A Pakistani court convicted and sentenced imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, on Saturday to 17 years in prison after finding them guilty of retaining and selling state gifts, officials and his party said. The couple pleaded not guilty when they were indicted last year. They were accused of selling the gifts, including jewelry from Saudi Arabia’s government, at prices far below their market value while he was in office. Prosecutors said Khan and his wife declared the value of the gifts at a little over $10,000, far below their actual market value of $285,521, allowing them to purchase the items at a reduced price. Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, said he would appeal the ruling on behalf of the former premier and his wife. (AP)

Australia

Ban on extremist symbols proposed

SYDNEY — The Australian state of New South Wales is proposing to ban public displays of Islamic State group flags or extremist symbols after a mass shooting driven by antisemitism killed 15 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Under draft laws to be debated by the state Parliament, publicly displaying the ISIS flag or symbols from other extremist groups will be offenses punishable by up to two years in prison and fines. The state’s premier, Chris Minns, also said chants of “globalize the intifada’’ will be banned and police would be given greater powers to demand protesters remove face coverings at demonstrations. “Hate speech or incitement of hatred has no place in our society,’’ Minns said Saturday. (AP)

Vatican City

Pope schedules Jan. consistory

Pope Leo XIV has summoned the world’s cardinals for two days of meetings to help him govern the church, the Vatican said Saturday, in the clearest sign yet that the new year will signal the unofficial start of his pontificate. The consistory, as such gatherings are called, will be held Jan. 7-8, immediately following the Jan. 6 conclusion of the 2025 Holy Year, a once-every-quarter century celebration of Christianity. The January consistory in many ways will mark the first time that Leo can look ahead to his own agenda following his May 8 election as the first American pope. (AP)