CONVICTION: Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld today the incitement conviction of Rong Chhun, a top adviser to the Nation Power Party, while suspending the remainder of his sentence, keeping him out of prison but unable to practice politics for years and renewing questions about the government’s efforts to quash criticism.

About 300 supporters of Mr Rong Chhun from around the country gathered outside the Supreme Court complex in Phnom Penh to protest against the verdict.

ARSON: Police charged a third suspect today with an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

The man was one of three masked offenders who broke into the Adass Israel Synagogue, doused the interior with flammable liquid then set it alight in the early hours of December 6 2024, a police statement alleged.

The fire caused extensive damage to the synagogue.

PHOTO BEGGING: The Italian government closed ranks today to slam United States President Donald Trump over his claim that Premier Giorgia Meloni had “begged” for a photo with him during the recent G7 summit.

Ms Meloni called President Trump’s claims “completely fabricated” and expressed astonishment that he would invent such things about an ally. She concluded: “Italy and I do not beg.”

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani abruptly cancelled a trip to the US this weekend.

DRUG SMUGGLING: The United States military killed at least three people during an attack on a boat in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday that it alleged, without evidence, was smuggling drugs.

At least 211 people have now been killed by US forces in such strikes in the Pacific in recent months.