GLOBAL SNAPSHOT

President rebuked

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans have rebuked him after his threat to shut down the US government over border wall funding. “I don’t think anyone’s interested in having a shutdown,” Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said.

Corruption call

CARACAS: Venezuela’s recently ousted chief prosecutor accused President Nicolas Maduro and several allies of participating in acts of corruption, saying she would turn over proof that would help other countries prosecute. Venezuela’s government fired back, accusing Luisa Ortega Diaz of “grave moral and ethical infractions”.

Court verdict looms

BANGKOK: Friends and foes alike of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, are awaiting a verdict today by Thailand’s Supreme Court on charges she was criminally negligent in implementing a rice subsidy program estimated to have cost the government as much as $ 17 billion and could now cost her 10 years in prison.

Admiral dumped

TOKYO: The commander of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet has been relieved of duty. The firing of Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin came after four US Navy warship accidents in the Pacific since late January, including two collisions that left sailors dead and missing.

Palau to get radar

KOROR: The US has announced plans to install radar systems in Palau, a move that will increase its monitoring ability in the western Pacific region recently rocked by threats from North Korea. The US Defence Department and the Palau government said they were working to finalise the location of radar towers.