Putin Pardons Jailed Tycoon
Top News: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the jailed ex-tycoon and Kremlin critic, was pardoned by Vladimir Putin after spending more than a decade in custody.
According to Putin, Khodorkovsky requested a release to see his ailing mother. Hours after the pardon, Khodorkovsky boarded a flight to Germany where his mother is being treated.
The tycoon was once Russia's richest man. Head of the now defunct oil giant Yukos, Khodorkovsky used his significant fortunes to support Putin's political opponents. In 2003, he was arrested and later charges with tax evasion and fraud.
The pardon came days after the State Duma passed an amnesty bill, which could lead to the release of two members of the punk protest group Pussy Riot.
Kenya: The prospects of trying Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for his role in the country's deadly election violence look bleak, according to Foreign Policy. On Thursday, ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, postponed the planned trial after a key witness defected. African governments have been increased efforts to pressure the ICC to delay the trials of Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto. Yet, Bensouda sought to assure Kenyans her decision was in no way politically motivated.
| Asia - Four people, including the mayor of the southern town Labangan, were fatally shot at the Manila airport in the Philippines.
- North Korea sent a letter to South Korea officials warning of a potential strike if they did not stop anti-Pyongyang demonstrations in Seoul.
- The U.S. has refused to drop charges against an Indian diplomat on allegations of visa fraud and making false statements.
Middle East - The Syrian government is responsible for thousands of enforced disappearances of civilians, according to UN human rights investigators.
- At least twenty-nine people are dead after three suicide bombers targeted Shia pilgrims travelling to the Iraqi city of Karbala for a religious event.
- The White House threatened to veto a proposed Senate bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran.
Africa - Uganda's parliament passed anti-homosexuality legislation that punishes repeat offenders with life in prison.
- Ethnic clashes continue in South Sudan, pushing the country closer towards civil war. An estimated 500 people have died since last weekend.
- Somalia began efforts to rebuild its national library. The building, which had previously held dozens of displaced families, has been damaged by years of civil conflict.
Europe - Fourteen senior police officials in Turkey have been fired. More than 30 officers have been sacked this week as part of a corruption inquiry.
- EU leaders finished two days of talks in Brussels after reaching a tentative agreement on a banking union. Yet many remain skeptical that the agreement will pass the European parliament.
- A man has been severely injured after immolating himself in Vatican City.
Americas - Cuba eased restrictions on people buying foreign-made cars.
- Chile's Supreme Court ruled that the state must pay compensation to the relatives of one of the victims of the 2010 tsunami. The decision will likely set a precedent for hundreds of other compensation suits.
- A Canadian review panel approved plans for a controversial pipeline project. The Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline became Canada's backup as progress on the Keystone XL pipeline has stalled in Washington.
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-By Jake Scobey-Thal
ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images
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