VATICAN ENVOY TO FRANCE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT

PARIS: The Vatican’s envoy to France is under investigation for sexual assault after being accused of molesting an official at the Paris mayor’s office. The envoy, Luigi Ventura, 74, has been based in Paris since 2009 and serves as a diplomat for Pope Francis and is covered by diplomatic immunity. He was accused of molesting a 30-year-old man at the Paris town hall on January 17 when mayor Anne Hidalgo gave a New Year’s address to diplomats, religious leaders and civil society figures. “During the ceremony, a city employee was repeatedly groped... in three instances, once in front of a witness,” a townhall source said.

Family acquitted in murder of Pakistani-italian woman

LAHORE: A Pakistani court on Friday acquitted all the accused in the murder of a Pakistani-italian woman. A judge ordered the release of Sana Cheema’s father Ghulam Mustafa Cheema, uncle Mazahar Cheema and brother Adnan Cheema on “benefit of doubt” in what was reported to be a case of honour killing. Sana, who had resisted a proposal to marry a relative, was found dead last April in her hometown of Mangowal in Gujrat, some 150 km from Lahore. Sana was living in Italy since 2002. AGENCIES

Two get death for killing aide of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi

YANGON: A Myanmar court sentenced two men to death on Friday over the killing of a lawyer who was a close adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi. Kyi Lin was found guilty for shooting Ko Ni, while his was sentenced as well. AP

China bans non-climbers from Everest base camp

BEIJING: China has banned tourists from accessing its Mount Everest base camp amid a campaign to clean up trash in the mountainous region. The ban applies only to those without climbing permits.

Transgender person named candidate for Thai PM

BANGKOK: As Pinit Ngarmpring, he was a CEO and sports promoter, well known in the world of Thai soccer. Now, under her preferred new name of Pauline Ngarmpring, she’s pursuing a bid to become the country’s first transgender prime minister. The 52-year-old is one of three candidates put forward by a political party for the post in next month’s general election. She says she wants her nomination to bring hope to the marginalised and to open up political space for LGBT people. AP