NEWS OF THE DAY
From Around the World
1 Arrest warrant: Tokyo prosecutors issued an arrest warrant Thursday for Nissan’s former chairman Carlos Ghosn, who skipped bail while awaiting trial in Japan and is now in Lebanon. Japan has no extradition treaty with Lebanon, so he’s unlikely to be arrested. Lebanon has indicated it will not hand over Ghosn. Tokyo prosecutors also issued arrest warrants for three Americans they said helped and planned his escape. Ghosn has said he is innocent of allegations he underreported his future income and committed a breach of trust by diverting Nissan money for his personal gain.
2 Cardinal acquitted: A French appeals court on Thursday acquitted a French cardinal of covering up the sexual abuse of minors in his flock, a decision culminating a drama that has produced angst for the Roman Catholic Church and reawakened a past of pain and shame for some victims seeking justice. Initially, the appeals court in the southeastern French city of Lyon gave no explanation while pronouncing its decision to wipe the legal slate clean for Cardinal Philippe Barbarin. The court, however, later released a 38page document that said it found no “intentional element” showing a coverup. Barbarin, archbishop of Lyon, had been convicted in March and given a sixmonth suspended sentence for failing to report a predator priest to police.
3 Dali theft: At least two thieves have stolen items from an art gallery in Stockholm, police said, with Swedish media reporting that they include 10 to 12 tablesize bronze sculptures by Spanish artist Salvador Dali. Police said “at least two thieves” entered the Couleur gallery Thursday morning by smashing the entrance window. Forensic experts were searching the gallery for clues and no suspects have been arrested. The sculptures — including several of Dali’s famous melting watches on a tree — had been on display at the gallery for 10 days. The exhibition was to close Saturday. The statues came from Switzerland.
4 Activist death: Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday called the death of a rural leader who fought to conserve the monarch butterfly’s wintering grounds “regrettable” and “painful,” a day after his body was found in Michoacan state. Homero Gomez’s relatives had reported him missing on Jan. 14. Authorities have not provided a cause of death or a motive, but activists have said it could be related to disputes over illegal logging, water or income from visitors’ fees to the El Rosario butterfly reserve. Gomez led efforts to preserve the pine and fir mountaintop forests where the butterflies spend the winter. Millions of monarchs come to the forests of Michoacan and other areas after making the 3,400mile migration from the United States and Canada. 5 Congo violence: Rebels have killed at least 36 people in attacks on villages in eastern Congo, a local official and civil society group said Thursday. The Allied Democratic Forces rebels attacked overnight Tuesday into Wednesday in four villages, including Manzingi and Maleki, in Beni territory, said Beni administrator Donat Kibwana. Residents have expressed growing frustration with the inability of Congolese soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers to protect civilians from the attacks. The ADF originated in Uganda and has long been a threat in eastern Congo. The Islamic State recently claimed some attacks carried out by ADF rebels but the relationship between the two groups is unclear. At least 292 civilians have been killed since Oct. 30, according to the local human rights group CEPADHO.