Former Austrian leader Sebastian Kurz convicted of false statements

VIENNA (AP) — Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has been convicted of making false statements to a parliamentary inquiry into alleged corruption in his first government. He has been given an eight-month suspended sentence. The verdict Friday at the Vienna criminal court followed a four-month trial. The case marked the first time in more than 30 years that a former Austrian chancellor had stood trial. The case centered on Kurz’s testimony to an inquiry that focused on the coalition he led from 2017 until its collapse in 2019. Prosecutors accused the 37-year-old of having given false evidence in June 2020 regarding his role in the setting up of a holding company, and the appointment of a former close confidant to its leadership.

Police in Sweden evacuate about 500 people from security agency

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish broadcaster TV4 says a suspected gas leak at the headquarters of Sweden’s security agency has forced the authorities to evacuate some 500 people from the facility. Police spokesman Anders Bryngelsson told the TT news agency that emergency services decided to evacuate the entire building because of a “suspected gas leak” on Friday but did not elaborate. Seven people from the headquarters in Solna, just north of Stockholm, were hospitalized, a police spokesperson told the TT news agency. He said there were no reports that anyone was seriously injured.

South African prosecutors seek extradition orders in the case of stolen $580K

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Prosecutors say they are seeking extradition orders and the arrest of more suspects over the 2020 theft of around $580,000 in U.S. cash that was hidden in a couch at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ranch. The theft only became public in 2022 and engulfed Ramaphosa in scandal and sparked an investigation by financial authorities. He was cleared of wrongdoing and survived an impeachment vote in Parliament. Ramaphosa will seek a second and final five-year term in a national election on May 29, when the ANC is expected to face a stern challenge to retain its majority.

Iraq announces reopening of a key oil refinery

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister has announced the reopening of the Beiji refinery, the country’s largest, which had been shut down for a decade after being damaged in the battle against the Islamic State extremist group. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement that the refinery’s return to operation will enable Iraq to meet its oil derivative needs internally, saving billions of dollars annually, which he said “will be invested in other services and aspects of the economy.”