Ukraine puts head of Russian church on “wanted” list
Reuters Ukraine’s Interior Ministry on Friday placed the head of Russia’s Orthodox Church, a backer of the Kremlin’s 21-month-old war against Kyiv, on a wanted list after security services accused him of abetting the conflict. The measure is purely symbolic as Patriarch Kirill is in Russia and under no threat of arrest. It was the […]
Senior cardinal convicted in Vatican corruption trial
Vatican CityReuters Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, was convicted on Saturday of embezzlement and fraud and sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail. The Italian prelate’s lawyer, Fabio Viglione, told reporters in the courtroom he would appeal, saying his client was innocent. Becciu, […]
Israeli hostages killed in Gaza were holding white flag, official says
JerusalemReuters Three Israeli hostages killed mistakenly in Gaza by Israeli forces had been holding up a white flag, a military official said on Saturday, citing an initial inquiry into the incident that has shaken the country. A soldier saw the hostages emerging tens of metres from Israeli forces on Friday in Shejaiya, an area of […]
Netanyahu hints new negotiations under way to recover Gaza hostages
Cairo, Egypt/Gaza/Jerusalem Reuters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Saturday to hint that new negotiations were under way to recover hostages held by Hamas, after his chief of Mossad intelligence met the Prime Minister of Qatar, a country mediating in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a televised press conference a day after Israeli forces mistakenly […]
On the Screen: ‘Wonka’ a delicious treat for all ages
DAVID ADAMS finds ‘Wonka’ an uplifting and whimsical delight…
Albania returns 20 stolen icons to neighbouring North Macedonia
Tirana, Albania AP Albania on Friday returned 20 icons to neighbouring North Macedonia that were stolen a decade ago, Albania’s Culture Ministry said. The return marked the final stretch on a long, 10-year road with “much inter-institutional and international cooperation,” said Albania’s Culture Minister Elva Margariti. It also showed Albania’s commitment to “the fight against […]
Cardinal, nine other defendants, await verdicts at Vatican trial
Vatican CityReuters A two-and-a-half year corruption trial that exposed infighting and intrigue in the highest echelons of the Vatican closes on Saturday with the key defendant, an Italian cardinal, praying that the court will believe his innocent plea. Cardinal Angelo Becciu, 75, a one-time Vatican power broker, is charged with embezzlement, abuse of office and […]
China clampdown on Hong Kong in spotlight as leading democrat goes on trial
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters A long-awaited national security trial opens in Hong Kong on Monday for leading China critic and media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who faces possible life imprisonment on charges he colluded with foreign forces, including the United States. Foreign envoys, business people and legal scholars will be watching the trial closely, saying it looms […]
Pakistan media ban on Imran Khan trial raises transparency concerns
Islamabad, PakistanReuters A Pakistan court has banned media from reporting on proceedings in a closed-door trial of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan on charges of leaking state secrets, raising concerns about transparency ahead of national elections in February. The 71-year-old former cricket star has been at the centre of a political crisis since his […]
Giuliani ordered to pay $US148 million to Georgia election workers in defamation trial
Washington DC, USReuters Rudy Giuliani must pay more than $US148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers he defamed through false accusations that they helped rig the 2020 election against Donald Trump, a jury decided on Friday. The jury in federal court in Washington found that Giuliani owes the workers, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss […]