World briefs

CHINA The latest hot product in China’s shadow- banking industry is giving Chen Ruogang the convenience of Internet commerce, triple the returns of deposits and regular free fruit hampers. It hasn’t bought him peace of mind. More on p12

CHINA Relatives of passengers on a missing Malaysia Airlines flight protested yesterday outside the carrier’s office in Kuala Lumpur, urging Malaysia to rescind a declaration that all on board have perished.

THE NETHERLANDS An atmospheric image of a gay couple in Russia by Danish photographer Mads Nissen was crowned the World Press Photo of the Year 2014 yesterday. The intimate image of Jon and Alex is part of a larger project by Nissen called “Homophobia in Russia” that highlights how life is increasingly difficult for sexual minorities in Russia.

SOUTH KOREA The inflight tantrum dubbed “nut rage” culminated yesterday in a one year prison sentence for Korean Air heiress Cho Hyun-ah. A Seoul court said Cho, 40, was guilty of forcing a flight to change its route, obstructing the flight’s captain in the performance of his duties.

EGYPT A court ordered the release of Al-Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, though charges against the two, including aiding a terrorist group, have yet to be dismissed, state media reported.

BRAZIL Two bodies were found inside an oil ship that exploded off Brazil’s coast, increasing the death toll to five. The Oil Workers Union of the state of Espirito Santo, where Wednesday’s explosion took place, said rescue teams are searching for four who remain missing. It said 10 workers were injured in the blast.

UKRANIAN President Petro Poroshenko says talks in Minsk did not include any agreement on autonomy for the rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader earlier said the parties in Minsk agreed to withdraw heavy weaponry from the front line and help Ukraine reclaim the control of the border with Russia.

UKRAINE reached a preliminary accord to expand an International Monetary Fund-led bailout to USD40 billion to avert default as the 10-month conflict in the nation’s east damages the economy and drains resources.

GREECE’s prime minister sounded a conciliatory tone ahead of his first summit with European leaders Thursday, hours after the country’s talks with eurozone creditors on overhauling its bailout broke down.

FRANCE Paris moved a step closer to bidding for the 2024 Olympics yesterday when Mayor Anne Hidalgo welcomed the results of a feasibility study on bringing the games back to the capital after a 100-year absence.