The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
37°F
Current Conditions
Mist
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

In brief: Radioactive cargo lands on Japanese premier’s roof

From Wire Reports

TOKYO – Japanese police arrested a man who admitted to landing a drone with low level-radioactive sand on the roof of the prime minister’s office to protest the government’s nuclear energy policy, officials said Saturday.

Tokyo metropolitan police said the man turned himself in late Friday to Fukui police in western Japan.

The small drone found Wednesday had traces of radiation and triggered fears of potential terrorist attacks using unmanned aerial devices, police said. No one was injured, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was traveling at the time.

Police said Yasuo Yamamoto, 40, was arrested on suspicion of flying the drone and obstructing duties at the prime minister’s office. He has not been indicted and faces further questioning.

Swedes held hostage in Syria released

STOCKHOLM – Sweden said two of its nationals held hostage in Syria have been released and are reunited with their families.

In a statement, the Swedish Foreign Ministry said it worked closely with several authorities and was particularly grateful to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who was “crucial” in the releases. It also singled out Jordan as helping in the releases.

Ministry officials on Saturday did not identify the hostages or say when or where they were released.

Israel reportedly attacks Syrian missile sites

JERUSALEM – Israeli warplanes struck military targets in Syria early Saturday, according to media reports that were not confirmed by Israeli or Syrian officials.

According to Arab media and pro-opposition sources in Syria, the strikes targeted several bases belonging to Syrian missile brigades in the mountainous Qalamoun region near the Syrian-Lebanese border.

Reportedly, the targets were Syrian army brigades said to keep long-range missiles and other strategic weapons.

Syrian pro-opposition sources uploaded a video to Youtube depicting columns of smoke rising from what was said to be the base of a Syrian army brigade, one of many bases and other military installations in the Qalamoun area.