News in Brief(2024-03-28)

FE Team | Published: March 27, 2024 22:08:13

US seeks to seize former Mongolia PM's luxury apartments for graft
WASHINGTON, Mar 27: The United States has said it will attempt to seize two luxury apartments in New York owned by former Mongolian prime minister Sukhbaatar Batbold that it said were bought with the proceeds of a corrupt scheme. Mongolia, a landlocked democracy sandwiched between its much larger neighbours China and Russia, is rich in deposits of coal, metals and other minerals. A years-long mining boom has helped ease historically high poverty rates but also fuelled elite corruption that has sparked social unrest. — AFP
Baltimore bridge collapse: Six dead
BALTIMORE, Mar 27: Six people are missing and presumed dead after a container ship hit the landmark Francis Scott Key Bridge in the US city of Baltimore, causing it to collapse. The Coast Guard said it had suspended its search and begun a recovery effort. The bridge, which is more than 2.6km (1.6 miles) long, was destroyed after the vessel hit a support. Officials say the ship suffered a "power issue" and sent out a distress call moments before the crash. Boats and helicopters were part of a huge search and rescue effort looking for the six missing people. Two others were pulled from the water, with one in a serious condition. — BBC
Assange wins reprieve from extradition
LONDON, Mar 27: WikiLeaks' Julian Assange can continue his fight against extradition to the United States after the High Court in London ruled on Tuesday he should be allowed to appeal against it unless the US promises he will not face the death penalty. US prosecutors are seeking to put Assange, 52, on trial on 18 counts, all bar one under the Espionage Act, over WikiLeaks' high-profile release of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables.— Reuters
Thailand to legalise same-sex marriage
BANGKOK, Mar 27: Thailand has taken a historic step closer to marriage equality after the lower house passed a bill giving legal recognition to same-sex marriage. It still needs approval from the Senate and royal endorsement to become law. But it is widely expected to happen by the end of 2024, making Thailand the only South East Asian country to recognise same-sex unions. — Reuters