World in brief

Anti-semitic arson suspects arrested

Sweden: Police arrested two youths today on suspicion of vandalism after an explosive device detonated and damaged a Jewish centre in Malmo.

The early-morning blast broke windows of the entrance to the centre but no-one was injured

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre has warned members of the Jewish community against visiting the city and called for a "permanent police presence at Malmo Jewish institutions."

Ex-senator pleads guilty to 93 charges

Puerto Rico: former senator Jorge de Castro Font has pleaded guilty to 93 charges including extortion, money laundering, bribery and perjury.

The island's justice department said that Mr de Castro Font has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He is already serving a five-year sentence after pleading guilty last May to 20 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion.

Parliament OKs copyright law

Panama: Parliament has approved an intellectual property law that would allow commerce officials to impose $100,000 (£62,000) fines for copyright infringements without trial.

The legislation - which requires presidential approval - is to bring Panama into compliance with a US-Panama free trade agreement signed in 2011, but goes far beyond the terms of the treaty.

Top banks face test

Cyprus: The central bank says the country's top lenders will undergo a stress test after a request from potential bailout lenders.

It will be overseen by the European Central Bank, IMF and European Commission. It will cover the country's top three banks.

Explosion kills 4

South Korea: An explosion at a chemical factory has killed four people and injured eight others.

The blast occurred at an industrial complex in the city of Gumi where TV and other electronic components are made.

Officials OK shark shooting plan

Australia: Officials have approved a plan to kill sharks that venture too close to people in the water.

The plan was announced by Western Australia state premier Colin Barnett on Thursday, but the Conservation Council of Western Australia slammed the new policy as ineffective.

"We are concerned that plans to kill sharks that approach beaches applies a 'guilty until proven innocent' approach to sharks and is a knee-jerk reaction to public concern," it said.

Firms suspended for oil spills

Brazil: A federal court has served Chevron and driller Transocean Ltd. with preliminary injunctions ordering them to suspend operations until investigations are completed into two oil spills off Rio de Janeiro's coast.

The two companies have 30 days to cease operations.

Transocean said it is "vigourously pursuing the overturn or suspension of the preliminary injunction."

Strikes push down SA bond rating

South Africa: Ratings agency Moody's is downgrading the country's bond rating to a negative Baa1 from A3, citing concerns over its political stability and a diminished capacity to handle political and economic problems.

Analysts predict further downgrades from other agencies as strikes spread to other mines and sectors.

Yongyuth goes over land sale

Thailand: Government minister Yongyuth Wichaidit has resigned over allegations that he mishandled a 1997 land corruption case involving former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Yongyuth had been interior minister and deputy prime minister in the current government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr Thaksin's sister.

Vietnam's credit downgraded

Vietnam: Moody's Investors Service downgraded Vietnam's credit rating from B1 to B2 today, citing weaknesses in its banks and a stuttering economy.