JERUSALEM, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Attorney General announced on Thursday that he decided to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for corruption.

The announcement came weeks before Israelis head to a general election in which Netanyahu is running for re-election.

According to the decision of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, the Israeli prime minister will be entitled to a hearing before the final decision.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Positive perception of China's global leadership continues to strengthen, with China's approval rating rising to its highest in almost a decade, U.S. public opinion polls conductor Gallup said Thursday.

The new Gallup report, which measured how adults in 133 countries and areas feel about the global leadership of the United States, Germany, Russia and China, showed that China earned a median 34 percent approval rating in 2018, 3 percent above its 2017 rating. The latest rating is China's highest score since 2009.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday failed to adopt two competing draft resolutions on Venezuela, sponsored by the United States and Russia respectively.

The U.S. draft received nine votes in favor, three against, and three abstentions in the 15-member council. Russia and China, as well as South Africa, vetoed the resolution.

Minutes later, the Security Council voted on the Russian draft, which received four votes in favor, seven against and four abstentions.

HANOI, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) only proposed that the United States partially remove its sanctions against Pyongyang, said the country's foreign minister here early Friday.

"What we proposed was not the removal of all sanctions, but they are partial removal," said Ri Yong Ho at a press conference, adding the DPRK only asked for those sanctions impeding the livelihood of its people to be removed first.

01 Mar 2019; DW: Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined thousands of students in a Fridays for Future demonstration in Hamburg on Friday.

Demonstrators marched from the Gänsemarkt square through the city center to Rathausmarkt, the central city square in Hamburg, carrying banners and signs with slogans such as "The climate can't wait," "March now or swim later" and "Make earth cool again!"

Police initially estimated the turnout to be between 3,500 to 4,000 students.

01 Mar 2019; AFP: A shadowy group believed to be protecting the son of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's assassinated brother declared the formation of a government-in-exile on Friday, dedicating itself to the abolition of the "great evil".

28 Feb 2019; AFP: Israel's attorney general announced Thursday he intended to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in a decision just weeks ahead of April elections.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said in a statement that he intended to charge the premier pending a hearing, where Netanyahu would be given a chance to defend himself before charges are filed.

Toronto, Feb 27; PTI/GANASHAKTI: Canada's flag carrier Air Canada Wednesday temporarily suspended its flights to India due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan Wednesday closed its airspace for commercial flights and suspended flight operations across major airports. India also closed nine airports in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab for civilian air traffic and the entire airspace north of New Delhi was vacated.

Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan has announced that his country will return the captured Indian air force pilot as a “peace gesture” to its neighbour. This is a significant step towards reducing tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries.

Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured after his jet was shot down in Azad Kashmir on Wednesday.

Islamabad, Mar 1 (PTI) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday announced that he will not attend a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being hosted by the United Arab Emirates over the grouping's failure to rescind the invitation to his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj.

Swaraj has been invited to the OIC meeting as a guest of honour despite strong protest from Pakistan. Qureshi informed Parliament that he would not be attending the conference in the UAE on March 1-2.

Kolkata, Feb 28 (PTI) The widow of slain CRPF personnel Bablu Santra Thursday urged both India and Pakistan to hold talks instead of escalating tensions.

She also urged the Narendra Modi government to ensure the safe release of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistan on Wednesday.

New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) The Centre Thursday banned the Jamat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for five years under anti-terror law on grounds that it was "in close touch" with militant outfits and is expected to "escalate secessionist movement" in the state.

A notification, banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs after a high-level meeting on security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.