News brief: Big stories of the day

Asia Bibi: Pakistan Islamists block roads to protest acquittal of Christian woman over blasphemy allegations

Pakistan's ultra-Islamist party blocked roads in major cities for a third day on Friday in protest against the acquittal of a Christian woman Asia Bibi on death row for blasphemy allegations.

Brazil will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem: President-elect Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday, making the Latin American giant the largest country after the United States to make the controversial switch.

US State Dept spokeswoman Heather Nauert could be next UN envoy: Trump

US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed reports that State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert is under "serious consideration" to become the next US ambassador to the United Nations.

Trump moves to crack down on asylum seekers ahead of US elections

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require immigrants seeking asylum in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections.

Apple quarterly profit leaps but shares slip on weaker-than-expected iPhone sales

Apple on Thursday reported that its profit leapt in the recently ended quarter, but shares slid on weaker-than-expected iPhone sales and the forecast going into the year-end holiday.