News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Riot police move into Taksim Square

Turkish riot police have moved into Taksim Square in central Istanbul firing tear gas and water cannon to dislodge anti-government protestors, who have occupied the area for more than a week. There have been violent clashes at one edge of the square. Police removed protestors’ barricades and banners, and have said they will not enter nearby Gezi Park where many demonstrators are camped out. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will meet protest organisers tomorrow but has claimed the demonstrations are part of a systematic plan to harm Turkey.

Snowden disappears in HongKong

Edward Snowden, the former CIA employee who leaked details of top-secret phone and internet surveillance programmes run by the United States’ spy agencies has disappeared from his hotel in Hong Kong. He is believed to be still in the territory. The Obama administration has refused to say whether it will seek to charge and extradite Snowden. White House spokesman Jay Carney: “There is obviously an investigation under way into this matter and for that reason I am not going to be able to discuss this individual or this investigation. Nor would I characterise the president’s views on an individual or an ongoing investigation.” Meanwhile European Union officials have said they will demand answers from the US on the secret gathering of digital information on Europeans, saying it is a serious violation of basic rights.

Reformist withdraws from Iran vote

The only reformist candidate in Iran’s presidential election, Mohammad Reza Aref, has withdrawn his candidacy. Aref said the former reformist president, Mohammad Khatami, had asked him to withdraw to boost the chances of the moderate candidate Hassan Rowhani in Friday’s vote.

Suicide attacks in Damascus

Syrian state media say at least 14 people have been killed in two suicide bombs attacks in central Damascus. The attacks appeared to target a police station.

Germany’s top court examines ECB policy

Germany’s constitutional court begins hearings today on the legality of the European Central Bank’s offer to buy government bonds, to calm markets at the height of the eurozone debt crisis. The ECB hasn't bought any bonds but critics including the Bundesbank say the programme violates EU treaties and the German constitution.

Air-traffic controllers strike in France

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in France as air-traffic controllers begin a three-day strike in protest at European Union plans to create a single European airspace. The strikes are expected to spread across Europe tomorrow.

The Weather

Rain easing to scattered showers, with sunny spells especially in the south. Top temperatures 14 to 24 degrees.

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