French tycoon on trial for tax fraud

PARIS • Billionaire French industrialist Serge Dassault, of aviation and software giant Dassault Group, went on trial yesterday for allegedly stashing €31 million (S$46.4 million) in tax havens Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and the Virgin Islands.

The 91-year-old is France's third-wealthiest person with a net worth estimated by Forbes magazine of US$14.8 billion (S$20 billion).

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Israel approves new homes in West Bank

JERUSALEM • Israel has approved hundreds of new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, an official said yesterday, in a move likely to further raise tensions following a series of Palestinian attacks.

The approval comes days after a key international report warned that Israel's settlement expansion and land confiscation were eroding the possibility of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Zimbabwe police target of protests

HARARE • Protests erupted in the Zimbabwean capital yesterday over allegations of police harassment against taxi operators.

Minibus operators started the protest complaining that police routinely ask for money when they stop vehicles to check whether they are roadworthy.

BLOOMBERG