News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Egypt’s President defies ultimatum

Egypt's president Mohammed Morsi has rejected an ultimatum by the military, to resolve the country's political crisis within 48 hours or risk intervention. Morsi says he will stick with his own plans for reconciliation, following mass protests against his rule over the weekend. Retired Egyptian general and law professor Dr Ayman Salama says the army's demands do not amount to a coup threat. “The president is the supreme commander of the whole Egyptian armed branches, however the army adopts the doctrine that the people, the nation is above the constitution and even the army itself.”

US intelligence fugitive seeks asylum in Austria

The fugitive US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden has reportedly applied for asylum in 21 countries, including Austria. Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner says the application can't be processed because Snowden is not in the country. The 30 year old is currently holed up in Russia, but has withdrawn a request for asylum there. Russian political scientist Vyacheslav Nikonov says the Kremlin remains ambivalent about Snowden's fate. “If Snowden continues to insult the US foreign policy and US government, it creates diplomatic problems for Russia. But on the other side, I don’t think the Russian officials really care too much about the public damage to the US foreign policy.”

Seven die in suicide attack in Kabul

Police in Afghanistan say at least 7 people have been killed in a suicide bombing in the capital Kabul, targeting a logistics company, which supplies NATO troops. 5 guards and two civilians were killed in the attack, which the Taliban says it carried out.

UAE jails dozens of Islamists

68 Islamists have been convicted of trying to overthrow the government of the United Arab Emirates and sentenced to jail terms of up to 15 years. Human rights lawyers, university lecturers and students are reported to be among the defendants. Rory Donaghy from the Emirates Centre for Human Rights says the trial is politically motivated. “These men have supported calls to democratically reform the government structure in the UAE and, as a result of that, they have been put on what has been a show trial.”

Obama honours embassy bombing in Tanzania

US President Barak Obama has joined his predecessor George W Bush in laying a wreath in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam to honour the 11 Americans killed in the 1998 US embassy bombing. Obama is on the final leg of his African tour, which has also taken him to South Africa and Senegal.

Legal challenge against Guantanamo force feeding

Several detainees at the US detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, who are currently on a hunger strike, have launched legal action in a bid to stop the authorities from force feeding them. Lawyers argue the process is degrading and tantamount to torture.

The weather

Mostly sunny conditions should continue this afternoon with the chance of isolated showers. Top temperatures will range from 22 to 30 degrees.

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