Briefly

UNITED STATES

Guo Wengui appeals bail denial in fraud case

A Chinese fugitive charged with leading a more than $1 billion fraud appealed a judge's order on Thursday that he remains in jail pending trial, court records showed. Guo Wengui, one of China's most wanted fugitives, was arrested in March. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said he promised followers "out-sized" investment returns, but diverted much of their money to fund lavish lifestyles for himself and his family. Guo pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including securities fraud, wire fraud and concealing money laundering. US District Judge Analisa Torres rejected a proposed $25 million bail package last month, saying prosecutors had shown it was likely Guo was a serious flight risk and would pose a risk of economic harm if released.

JORDAN

Syria to be readmitted soon to Arab League

Syria should soon be able to return to the Arab League, but many challenges lie ahead in resolving the country's more than decade-old conflict, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Friday. The organization suspended Syria's membership in 2011 when the civil war broke out. Safadi said Syria had enough votes among the group's 22 members to regain its seat. A spokesperson for the Arab League said on Thursday that Arab ministers will meet in Cairo on Sunday to discuss Syria amid the regional push to normalize ties with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Several Arab states including Saudi Arabia and Egypt have recently reengaged with Syria through high-level visits and meetings.

JAPAN

Police officer dies at prime minister's office

A Japanese police officer died in an apparent suicide after being found shot in a restroom at the prime minister's office in central Tokyo early on Friday, investigators said. The 25-year-old officer with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's riot squad was found bleeding from the head in a restroom inside the west gate guard station at the prime minister's office and was taken to hospital, but was soon confirmed dead, the department said. A gun was found on the floor near the body and a bullet had been fired from the gun. No suicide note was found.

Agencies - Xinhua