Author Archives: OP King

The fraud is linked to luxury jeweller Nirav Modi Three people have been arrested on suspicion of helping a billionaire jeweller to defraud one of India’s largest banks of millions. Nirav Modi, a diamond broker and luxury jeweller to celebrities, is being investigated in a $44m (£31m) fraud case at Punjab National Bank (PNB). LateContinue reading “Nirav Modi fraud investigation makes first arrests”

Image copyrightAFPImage captionZainab’s rape and murder sparked outrage in Pakistan A court in Pakistan has given a 24-year-old man, Imran Ali, four death sentences for raping and murdering a six-year old girl last month. Zainab Ansari’s body was found in a rubbish dump in the city of Kasur, south of Lahore, on 9 January. HerContinue reading “Pakistan: Zainab Ansari’s killer gets four death sentences”

Media captionThe Russian foreign minister called for “facts” before commenting further Russia’s foreign minister has dismissed as “blather” the charges levelled by the FBI special counsel against 13 Russians for election meddling. Sergei Lavrov said at a major security conference in Germany he would not comment further until he saw “facts”. The charges brought byContinue reading “Russia-Trump inquiry: Russian foreign minister dismisses FBI charges”

Image captionThe indictments from Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigations were unexpected Special Counsel Robert Mueller has dropped another Friday blockbuster with his sweeping indictment of three organisations and 13 Russian nationals for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. For the first time the special counsel’s team has taken dead aim at its central mandateContinue reading “Seven key takeaways from the Russian indictments”

Media captionRussians recruited ‘real Americans’ as part of ‘information warfare’ Thirteen Russians have been charged with interfering in the US 2016 election, in a major development in the FBI investigation. Three of those named have also been accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five have been accused of aggravated identity theft. The announcementContinue reading “Russia-Trump inquiry: Russians charged over US 2016 election tampering”

Image copyrightAFPImage captionMany journalists have been targeted in Turkey’s post-coup crackdown A Turkish court has sentenced six journalists to life in jail for alleged links to the July 2016 coup plotters. The judgement came as another Turkish court decided to release German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel, who has been held for a year without charge. TheContinue reading “Six Turkish journalists jailed for life for ‘coup links’”

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionMalcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce at a press conference in 2016 Australian Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has sharply criticised the nation’s leader, Malcolm Turnbull, in an escalation of tensions that have rocked the government. On Thursday, Mr Turnbull admonished Mr Joyce for making a “shocking error” over his affair with a formerContinue reading “Barnaby Joyce: Australia PM’s remarks ‘inept’, deputy says”

Image copyrightYOUTUBE/CCTVImage captionBy some estimates, the show is the most watched entertainment programme on earth A skit on China’s biggest Lunar New Year TV show has sparked widespread criticism and accusations of racism. In a comedy routine celebrating Chinese-African ties an Asian actress appears in blackface and with exaggerated buttocks. Using make-up to lampoon blackContinue reading “Lunar New Year: Chinese TV gala includes ‘racist blackface’ sketch”

Image copyrightREUTERSImage captionCyril Ramaphosa, 65, is one of South Africa’s wealthiest politicians New South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken of a “new dawn” in his first State of the Nation address. Mr Ramaphosa, who was sworn in on Thursday, promised to “turn the tide of corruption”. He also spoke of accelerating land redistribution andContinue reading “President Cyril Ramaphosa pledges ‘new dawn’ for South Africa”

Image copyrightREUTERSImage captionDemonstrators celebrate the release of political prisoners in Adama, Oromia A national state of emergency has been declared in Ethiopia just one day after the unexpected resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. A statement by the state broadcaster said the move was necessary to stem a wave of anti-government protests. Hundreds of peopleContinue reading “Ethiopia declares national state of emergency”