Carrier jets progress

BEIJING: Chinese researchers are getting closer to developing a military aircraft seen as key to building the country’s amphibious capabilities, despite technical obstacles.

The official China Daily said progress was being made in research on components for short take-off and vertical landing jets, which researchers said could be deployed on China’s lone aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. – Reuters

Sports scandal

ABIDJAN: Ivory Coast’s youth and sports minister said yesterday that he had left the government amid a scandal involving missing player bonuses for its African championship-winning soccer team.

The minister, Alain Lobognon, said that he had done nothing wrong and would make his case in court. – Reuters

UN sex abuse targeted

NEW YORK: Sex abuse by UN peacekeeping personnel was still happening, despite the world body’s official policy of zero-tolerance for sexual exploitation, a group of former diplomats and UN officials said.

The group is joining with Aids-Free World to demand that the UN remove the immunity that protects sexual abusers within peacekeeping missions. – Reuters

Yemen relief pledge

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has allocated 1 billion riyals (R3.1bn) for a Yemen relief centre to be set up.

The Saudi Al Arabiya channel said the money would be in addition to another 1 billion riyals pledged.

An Arab alliance led by Saudi Arabia has begun military operations in Yemen to support President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. – Reuters