Suicide bomber kills 17 at police academy

Mogadishu: An Islamic extremist suicide bomber disguised as a police officer killed at least 17 and injured 20 at a police academy in Somalia’s capital on Thursday. The bomber, with explosives strapped around his waist, infiltrated General Kahiye Police Academy and targeted officers gathering for special morning exercises, Captain Mohamed Hussein said. The officers were rehearsing for Somalia’s Police Day celebrations scheduled for Dec 20. AFP

Belgium ends case against Puigdemont

Brussels: A Belgian court formally closed extradition proceedings against deposed Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on Thursday, after Spain dropped the European arrest warrant against him. Puigdemont and four of his deputies fled to Belgium in October to avoid charges of rebellion, sedition and misusing public money in relation to Catalonia’s independence drive, prompting Madrid to seek their return. PTI

N Korean defector pleads to return 

Seoul: A North Korean defector interrupted a UN human rights press conference in Seoul on Thursday to plead tearfully to be allowed to go back to her relatives in Pyongyang.  Dressmaker Kim Ryon-Hui arrived seven years ago but has since has made several desperate attempts to return to her family -- including forging a passport, for which she was imprisoned, and falsely confessing to espionage in the hope she would be expelled. AFP