Dishing the dirt
LONDON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former chief of staff has agreed to testify against his former boss as part of two ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption.
Ari Harow struck a deal to turn state’s witness on Friday, which is widely being viewed as a potential turning point in police enquiries into the Israeli premier. – The Independent
Three die in crash
LUCERNE: At least three people, including two teenagers, were reportedly killed when an aircraft crash landed at a summer camp in Switzerland.
All are believed to have been in the small singleengine plane, a Piper PA28, as a ride organised by a local flying club, an area police spokesperson reported. – The Independent
Honeymoon fini
LONDON: Emmanuel Macron’s honeymoon with voters has ended after just three months in office, according to new polls of the French public.
The French president’s approval ratings have already gone negative, with those approving of his record slipping seven points, to 36%.
Those disapproving rose to 49%. – The Independent
Monkey business
JAKARTA: Indonesia is using armed police and soldiers to help villagers on Java tackle marauding monkeys that have been terrorising their area, stealing food and even attacking vulnerable elderly residents and a child.
Long-tailed macaques have been growing increasingly bold in their interactions with humans in the Boyolali district. – Reuters
Burkini pool fine
MARSEILLE: A woman who wore a burkini to swim in a communal pool has reportedly been told to pay a considerable fine to fund cleaning costs at the facility.
The owner is also alleged to have told the woman and her husband they must pay a €490 (R7 800) bill for cleaning and pay damages because the pool was out of use for two days. – The Independent
Hogwarts in China
BEIJING: Two Chinese officials have been sacked for involvement in “superstitious activities”, including casting spells to aid promotions etc. under the guise of business trips, state media said on Friday.
Members of the ruling Communist Party are not supposed to follow any religion in officially atheist China. – Reuters
Leak of Thrones
NEW DELHI: The unaired fourth episode of the new season of Game of Thrones has been leaked online, Star India said on Friday.
“We take this breach seriously and have initiated forensic investigations at our and the technology partner’s end to determine the cause.
This is a grave issue and we are taking legal action,” a spokesperson said. – Reuters
Dispensing oysters
PARIS: In a change from chocolates and fizzy drinks, the French are starting to offer fresh live oysters from vending machines in the hope of selling more of the delicacy outside business hours.
One pioneer is Tony Berthelot, an oyster farmer whose dispenser offers a range of quantities, types and sizes of oysters 24 hours a day, seven days a week. – Reuters
Kislyak comments
MOSCOW: Russia’s former ambassador to Washington, Sergei Kislyak, said yesterday his conversations with former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn were transparent and focused on matters of co-operation.
Kislyak is a key figure in ongoing US investigations into Moscow’s alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections. – Reuters