IN BRIEF (Page 11)
Norway
Minister: Venezuela talks making progress
Norway's government on Wednesday praised progress made in talks between representatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the political opponents. The second round of meetings this week in Norway is part of efforts to resolve a conflict between Maduro and the US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido. Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said in a statement: "The parties have demonstrated their willingness to move forward in the search for an agreed-upon and constitutional solution for the country, which includes political, economic and electoral matters," she said in a statement.
South Africa
New Cabinet is 'gender-balanced'
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday named ministers of a trimmed-down Cabinet. Half of the 28 ministers are women, making the country one of few in the world to be "gender-balanced". His announcement followed similar moves by Ethiopia and Rwanda last year. Ramaphosa cut the number of ministers from 36 to 28 as he seeks to reduce the expansion enacted by predecessor Jacob Zuma, who stepped down last year under pressure amid corruption allegations. The ruling African National Congress still contains some Zuma allies, complicating Ramaphosa's efforts at reforms aimed at restoring investor confidence in the economy.
Turkey
Former NASA scientist freed from prison
Turkey has released former NASA scientist Serkan Golge, a Turkish-American, from jail with conditions, according to a court ruling seen by Reuters on Wednesday. The release could lead to an easing of tensions between Ankara and Washington. Golge was earlier found guilty of being a member of an armed terrorist organization and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison. His sentence was later reduced to five years. He was found guilty of aiding a terrorist organization instead of being a member of one. Golge has always denied the charges against him.
AP - Xinhua - Reuters
(China Daily 05/31/2019 page11)