EgyptAir black boxes badly damaged, likely to prolong probe and other top stories.

• EgyptAir black boxes badly damaged, likely to prolong probe

  

  CAIRO — The voice and data recorders from the EgyptAir plane that crashed into the Mediterranean nearly a month ago are ‘‘extensively damaged’’ and will need repairs before they can be analyzed, an Egyptian official said Friday, dampening hopes for quick answers as to what caused the disaster.The official didn’t elaborate on how long the repairs would take but said if this cannot be done in Egypt, the so-called ‘‘black boxes’’ would be sent abroad. The official spoke on condition of anonymity ..

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• Donald Trump may like Putin's latest remarks about the US

  

  Russian President Vladimir Putin during the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg on June 17.  (Sergey Chirikov/European Pressphoto Agency) At a business conclave in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Friday, President Vladimir Putin hailed the primacy of American power. Yes, you read that right. "America is a great power — today probably the only superpower. We accept that," Putin said, according to Russian news agency Tass. "We want to and..

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• Pakistan Reopens Main Border Crossing With Afghanistan After Fighting Subsided

  

  ISLAMABAD— Pakistan reopened the busy Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan for traffic Saturday, a week after deadly clashes between the two countries prompted the closure, stranding thousands of travelers and trade convoys on both sides. Pakistani officials say Afghans with valid travel documents are being allowed to cross while trucks carrying trading goods have also resumed their cross-border journey. The border skirmishes erupted over Pakistan’s construction of a gate to prevent terror..

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• Watch the Queen Scold Prince William In Front of Prince George

  

  We were gifted last weekend with a rare, all-our-favorite-players-are-here royal flush, as the Queen united with Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, as well as Prince George and Princess Charlotte, for the Trooping the Colour ceremony, which celebrated the Queen’s birthday. The group stood on the Buckingham Palace balcony, waving to the collected masses, and marking Charlotte’s palace-balcony debut. These sorts of formal events, of course, generally operate under strict guidelines, di..

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• Belgian police arrest 12 in overnight raids

  

  Story highlightsTerror investigation led to raid, Belgian prosecutor's office says No identities given for the 12 arrestedThe operation Friday into Saturday included searches of dozens of houses, according to a statement from the prosecutor's office. "The investigatory results necessitated an immediate intervention," the prosecutor's office said. "The investigation continues. In the interest of the investigation, currently no further details can be given."The searches were spread through 16 mun..

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• Syria memo shakes up Washington but unlikely to shift policy

  

  WASHINGTON — State Department officials shook up America’s generally obedient diplomatic establishment this week with an internal memo urging U.S. military action against Syria’s government with the goal of pressing President Bashar Assad to accept a cease-fire and gaining the upper hand on him in future talks on a political transition. Reasons abound for why an intervention is improbable, not least the vague military objective and risks for U.S. service personnel. Most significant, President B..

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• Police charge man with murder of British lawmaker

  

  Cox, a member of Britain's Parliament, was killed Thursday in a brazen attack on a street in her district in northern England. "We have now charged a man with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon," West Yorkshire Police's Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen said. Mair will appear in London's Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday.Details have begun to emerge about Mair, who has subscribed in th..

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• Iraq says most of Falluja retaken from ISIS

  

  The announcement came nearly four weeks after the start of a U.S.-backed offensive to liberate the Islamic State's last major foothold in Iraq's Anbar province.During a televised address, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Iraqi forces are now in control of Falluja's city center, something Iraq hasn't been able to claim in more than two years. But U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter was more cautious when asked Friday about Falluja."They are in control of a portion of the city. I think it's to..

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• Nigeria: Boko Haram kills 18 at funeral in northeast

  

  YOLA, Nigeria (AP) - Boko Haram militants opened fire at a funeral in northeast Nigeria, killing 18 mourners including many women and children, officials and witnesses said Friday. The attack occurred late Thursday night in the Madagali area of Adamawa state near the Sambisa forest, which has long been a stronghold for the Nigeria-based Islamic extremist group. "They stormed our village on motorbikes and immediately opened fire on the people observing the wake," said a witnes..

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