Special Report: How a secret Russian airlift helps Syria’s Assad
MOSCOW/KIEV (Reuters) – In a corner of the departures area at Rostov airport in southern Russia, a group of about 130 men, many of them carrying overstuffed military-style rucksacks, lined up at four check-in desks beneath screens that showed no flight…
Vietnam warns against ‘inappropriate’ statues after nude sculpture cover-up
HANOI (Reuters) – Vietnam’s culture ministry has issued a directive against “inappropriate” statues after images of godlike sculptures with animal heads and human genitalia stoked controversy.
Chemical weapons body conducted inspection in Russia last week: Red Star newspaper
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) conducted an inspection at an undisclosed location in Russia in the past week, the Russian Defence Ministry’s official newspaper said on Friday.
South Africa’s Zuma proclaims innocence after court appearance
DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) – Former South African president Jacob Zuma appeared in court on Friday to face corruption charges relating to a $2.5 billion arms deal, later telling a crowd he would be proven innocent in the long-running case that resu…
U.N. calls on Israel to rein in security forces at Gaza border
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations human rights office urged Israel on Friday to ensure that its security forces do not use excessive force against Palestinian protesters at the Gaza-Israel border.
South Korean court jails former president Park for 24 years
SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean court jailed former President Park Geun-hye for 24 years on Friday over a scandal that exposed webs of corruption between political leaders and the country’s conglomerates.
South Africa court adjourns Zuma corruption case to June 8
DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) – The Durban High Court adjourned until June 8 a case in which former South African president Jacob Zuma is accused of corruption in a $2.5 billion arms deal, Judge Themba Sishi said on Friday.
Malaysia’s PM Najib dissolves parliament paving way for tough election
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak announced the dissolution of parliament on Friday, paving the way for a tough election where the embattled leader will face off against his old mentor and the country’s most seasoned campai…
Fishermen rescue Rohingya Muslims at sea off Indonesia, with more arrivals expected
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (Reuters) – Indonesian fishermen rescued at least five Rohingya Muslims off the island of Sumatra in the early hours of Friday and brought them ashore, officials said, in the first such landing this year amid media reports that fi…
South Korean court finds ousted Park guilty of bribery
SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean court found former President Park Geun-hye guilty of bribery on Friday over a scandal that exposed webs of corruption between political leaders and the country’s conglomerates.
