'푸틴 정적' 야권운동가 나발니 '독극물 중독' 증세로 중태
It's time now for our Friday's edition of Arirang's 'The World Now'. I'm Kim Jae-hee.
Let's start off with shocking news about Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny.
The anti-corruption campaigner is unconscious in hospital, after suffering from suspected poisoning.
He reportedly fell ill during a flight, after drinking tea at an airport cafe.
The plane made an emergency landing, and he was taken to an intensive care unit.
"He is currently in intensive care in Omsk, he is in a coma, he is connected to a ventilator, his condition remains serious."
Western leaders responded to the news with concern,... the French President and German Chancellor... after a meeting on Thursday, both showed support for the Russian opposition leader.
"Full light will have to be shed on the circumstances which have led to this situation and we'll be extremely vigilant on the follow up and investigations that will be carried out."
"And if that is what is desired, then what applies to France also applies to Germany, that obviously Germany will let him have all the medical help that is needed also in German hospitals."
Meanwhile, a meeting between the French President and German Chancellor also discussed the ongoing protests against President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus.
France is proposing that the EU can help mediate the political crisis in that country.