Myanmar policeman who detailed Reuters reporters’ entrapment freed from jail
A Myanmar policeman who told a court last year how officers planted secret documents on two Reuters reporters in order to “entrap” them was released from prison on Friday, after being sentenced to a year in jail for violating police discipline.
U.S. imposes visa restrictions on Ghana
The United States said on Thursday it was imposing visa restrictions on Ghana, accusing the African country of not cooperating in accepting its citizens ordered removed from the United States.
Venezuela’s Guaido courts Russia; powers divided on Maduro
Global jostling intensified on Thursday between countries that want Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in power and those trying to force him to resign, as opposition leader Juan Guaido made overtures to his rival’s allies Russia and China.
India PM Modi looks to budget on Friday to shore up political base
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is expected to try and shore up its political support with big ticket farm giveaways and tax cuts for the middle class in its final federal budget on Friday, months before elections.
UAE senior diplomat denies hacking Americans
A United Arab Emirates senior diplomat denied on Thursday the country had targeted “friendly countries” or American citizens in a cyberspying program that a Reuters report said involved a hacking team of U.S. mercenaries.
China punishes 3,000 people in organized crime crackdown: state media
China has punished 3,021 people in a crackdown on organized crime and the local “protective umbrellas” that allow it to operate, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday, citing a government anti-crime task force.
Change of Venezuelan government favors creditors China, Russia: Guaido
A change in government in Venezuela would favor the country’s two main foreign creditors Russia and China, Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president, Juan Guaido, told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.
Venezuela’s Maduro loosens private sector, currency red tape-sources
As Venezuela grapples with U.S. sanctions on its vital oil industry, socialist President Nicolas Maduro has made plans to lift some price and foreign exchange controls in a bid to revive the country’s battered economy, sources said.
Vale hires law firm Skadden to run dam burst investigation
Brazilian miner Vale SA hired law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to organize an investigation into a deadly dam burst last week that likely killed hundreds of people in Brazil, the company said in a securities filing on Thursday.
Australian air strike in Iraq in 2017 ‘may have’ killed civilians
An Australian air strike on Iraq in 2017 “may have” killed up to 18 civilians, the Australian government confirmed late on Thursday, following a year-long investigation.
