Rodham grave defaced

HARRISBURG: Police in Pennsylvania said yesterday that the tombstone of Hillary Clinton’s father had been knocked over in a possible case of vandalism, the Scranton Times-Tribune newspaper reported, days after she announced her presidential bid.

A person at the Washburn Street Cemetery reported that the gravestone of Hugh Rodham had been overturned. – Reuters

Island oil spill threat

MADRID: A Russian fishing trawler full of fuel had sunk off the coast of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, sea rescue authorities said yesterday as they checked to see if there had been any spillage.

The Oleg Naydenov, which could have had up to 1 400 tons of fuel on board, according to data from Greenpeace, sank to a depth of 2 400m, south of Maspalomas, which is famed for its sand dunes. – Reuters

Iran’s plan for Yemen

LISBON: Iran’s foreign minister said yesterday Tehran would use all its influence in the region and in Yemen to broker a peace deal for Yemen in order to end Saudi-led air strikes against Houthi rebel forces allied to Tehran.

Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said: “We are a major force in the region. We are going to use that to bring everybody to the negotiating table.” – Reuters

Aircraft control plea

FRANKFURT: In response to the Germanwings crash last month, the German air traffic control authority called on the aviation industry yesterday to consider technology that would allow people on the ground to take remote command of a passenger plane. Such a system could be used in an emergency to take command of the plane and steer it safely to the ground. – Reuters

Dalai Lama ‘insincere’

BEIJING: China urged the Dalai Lama yesterday to “put aside his illusions” about talks on Tibet’s future and accused him of insincerity and covertly pushing for independence, rather than autonomy.

The Dalai Lama denies espousing violence and says he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibet, although China has repeatedly said he is insincere. – Reuters

Suing to be easier

BEIJING: The Chinese government would make it easier for people to lodge lawsuits, state media said yesterday, as part of efforts to boost the rule of law.

The ruling Communist Party held a meeting last year to improve the rule of law, reflecting worries about rising social unrest threatening the stability the party is so keen to maintain. – Reuters

MH17 probe goes on

THE HAGUE: Nine months after Malaysian Airlines MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine, investigators have gained access to the area where the last unexamined wreckage lies and hope to recover remains from the last two victims.

Fighting has stopped the team collecting evidence from the crash site that was until recently on the front line of the conflict between the rebels and Ukrainian troops. – Reuters