News in Brief- (9-10-2018)

Israeli PM's wife goes on trial for fraud

JERUSALEM, Oct 08: Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, appeared in court on Sunday for the first hearing in the fraud trial against her, in which she is alleged to have misused state funds in ordering catered meals. According to the indictment, Sara Netanyahu, along with a government employee, fraudulently obtained from the state more than $100,000 for hundreds of meals supplied by restaurants, bypassing regulations that prohibit the practice if a cook is employed at home. — Reuters

12 die in Central America

torrential rain, landslides

HONDURAS, Oct 08: Torrential rain in Central America that caused floods and landslides have killed 12 people in just a few days, rescue and emergency authorities across the region said on Sunday. Heavy rains that began on Thursday have battered countries from Guatemala to Costa Rica, and prompted a landslide in Honduras that killed two children and their mother while they were sleeping. — Reuters

Syrian rebels to withdraw

heavy weapons from Idlib

ISTANBUL, Oct 08: Syrian rebel groups will complete the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from a demilitarized zone agreed by Turkey and Russia in northwest Syria's Idlib on Monday, the state-owned Anadolu news agency said. Under a deal agreed last month between Turkey and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's main ally Moscow. — Reuters

Bulgarians mourn murdered journalist

SOFIA, Oct 08: Leading EU politicians and media activists urged Bulgaria on Monday to conduct a fast investigation into the murder of journalist Viktoria Marinova, as mourners planned vigils across the Balkan country. Marinova's body was found in a park near the Danube river in her home town of Ruse on Saturday. — AFP