DARK SECRETS: 45 - The Real Truth

Analysis-For Spain's Socialists, regional elections a rehearsal for national vote

In speeches across the country ahead of regional elections on Sunday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has promised two-euro cinema tickets for the elderly, affordable homes for the young and money to mitigate the effects of a long-term drought.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

Pope calls for freedom of worship for Catholics in China

Pope Francis called on Wednesday for freedom of worship for Catholics in China, a religious minority that has faced historic harassment and persecution in the communist country, causing friction between the Vatican and Beijing.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

Ukraine moves closer to corruption trial of former tax chief

Ukraine has moved a step closer to putting former tax and customs chief Roman Nasirov on trial on corruption charges after anti-graft investigators referred his case to court.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

UK's Rishi Sunak says interior minister will not face further probe

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said interior minister Suella Braverman's handling of a speeding fine last year did not amount to a breach of ministerial code and that there would be no further investigation.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

Crimean Bridge re-opens after 'exercises', Russian-backed official says

The Russian-built Crimean Bridge linking the Crimean peninsula to the Russian region of Krasnodar was reopened on Wednesday after being closed for several hours for "exercises", an official from Crimea's Russian-backed administration said.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

UN rights chief asks Sudan's generals to stop 'senseless violence'

The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday described the situation in Sudan as "heartbreaking" and made a direct call to the two warring generals to stop sexual violence and spare the lives of civilians.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

Pakistan considering banning party of ex-PM Imran Khan - minister

Pakistan is considering banning former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party for attacking the state, the defence minister said on Wednesday, a decision likely to enrage his supporters and exacerbate his confrontation with the military establishment.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

Singapore PM orders probe into ministers' homes amid public anger

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has ordered an investigation into the circumstances around the rental of state-owned homes in an exclusive location to two cabinet ministers following questions from the opposition.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

Older people account for a third of Ukraine's war victims - UN

Older people have suffered and died at a disproportionately high rate since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a U.N. report showed on Wednesday, with some perishing because they were barred from fetching medicines or leaving basements.

Reuters · May 24, 2023

Australia refers PwC tax document leak scandal to police

The Australian Treasury has referred a confidential document leak scandal involving professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to police, Secretary to the Treasury Steven Kennedy said on Wednesday.

Reuters · May 24, 2023