Iran video shows test launch of cruise missile
Reuters, Dubai
Iran unveiled a new cruise missile with a range of 1,300 km (800 miles) on Saturday during celebrations marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, state television reported.
“This cruise missile needs a very short time for its preparedness and can fly at a low altitude,” Defence Minister Amir Hatami said during the unveiling ceremony.
Thai forest rangers train to tackle wildlife crime
AFP, Nakhon Nayok
Camo-clad rangers ambush a camp in a lush Thai national park, kicking away a machete and a firearm and pinning two suspected poachers to the ground-part of a training exercise to counter a lucrative wildlife trade. “Go!” team leader Kritkhajorn Tangon yells as the group tackles the actors, who had near them sambar deer antlers and a blade covered in fake blood.
French priest jailed for sexual abuse
AFP, Colmar
A French priest was Friday sentenced to five years, two without parole, for sexually assaulting four young female parishioners, one of whom was just nine when the offences started, and embezzling 100,000 euros ($115,000) to pay one of his victims. The trial was held behind closed doors at Colmar Criminal Court, in northeast France, which publicly announced the sentence late Friday.
Modi defends citizenship bill at rally
AP, Kolkata
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised a controversial citizenship bill pending in Parliament at a rally Saturday, kick-starting his Hindu nationalist party’s campaign to retain power in general elections due by May.
In a speech broadcast live from the rally in West Bengal state, Modi urged the opposition Trinamool Congress party-led government of West Bengal to support the bill, saying “my brothers and sisters here need it.”
Turkey denounces Israel’s decision over Hebron monitoring
AFP, Istanbul
Turkey has “strongly” condemned Israel’s decision not to renew the mandate of an international monitoring group in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.
“We strongly condemn Israel’s unilateral termination of the mandate of the ‘Temporary International Presence in Hebron’ (TIPH) and expect this political decision to be reversed,” the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement late on Friday.
Russia seizes Japan fishing boat
AFP, Tokyo
A Japanese crab fishing boat with 10 people on board has been seized by Russian authorities, a Japanese official said Saturday. The number 68 Nishino-maru was taken to Russia’s eastern port of Nakhodka, where the crew members are expected to be questioned, said an official of Shimane prefecture, western Japan.
