News Briefs

China sentences Canadian pop star Kris Wu to 13 years for rape

BEIJING (Reuters) -A Beijing court sentenced Canadian singer Kris Wu on Friday to 13 years in jail after finding him guilty of crimes including rape, just over a year after his arrest in China, where he was born and built a lucrative career.

UN rights boss says Russian strikes plunge millions into hardship

The U.N. human rights chief said on Thursday that Russian strikes on critical infrastructure in Ukraine since October had killed at least 77 civilians and were plunging millions of people into extreme hardship.

Al Shabaab attack Somali military base, government forces fight back

Militants from Somalia's al Shabaab attacked a military base in the central Galgaduud region on Friday, the group and a local government minister said, prompting violent clashes as the army and allied clans sought to repel them.

Death toll from Indonesia earthquake rises to 310; 24 still missing

The death toll of an earthquake that hit the Indonesian town of Cianjur this week rose to 310, the country's national disaster mitigation agency said on Friday.

Decision over sending Patriot air defence to Ukraine lies with nations - NATO

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The decision whether to send Patriot air defence units to Ukraine lies with the specific nations, NATO's chief said on Friday when asked about Polish demands for Germany to pass on Patriot units to Kyiv.

British foreign minister unveils more winter aid on Kyiv trip

KYIV (Reuters) -British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly unveiled millions of pounds in additional support for Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv on Friday, as the country grapples with Russian air strikes on vital infrastructure with winter setting in.