News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Bolivia plane departs after Snowden row

A plane carrying Bolivia's President Evo Morales has resumed its journey after being stranded at Vienna Airport amid the controversy over Edward Snowden. Spanish authorities were the last to re-open their airspace for the aircraft which had been on the tarmac for 13 hours following rumours that the former intelligence analyst who's wanted by the US was on board. Morales had been attending a conference in Moscow. According to Bolivian officials, his plane had to make an unscheduled stop-over in Vienna because several EU countries had refused to let it cross their airspace. Bolivian and Austrian officials dismissed the reports that Snowden was on the flight. Bolivia's Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca says he wants an explanation from countries like France and Portugal: "they said it was due to technical issues. But after speaking to the authorities we discovered that there were some unfounded suspicions that Mr Snowden was on the plane. We don't know who invented this complete lie. Someone wants to hurt our country." French officials have denied that France refused to let the plane cross over its airspace.

Deadline approaches in Egypt's crisis

Tensions remain high in Egypt with President Mohammed Mursi insisting that he remains the country's legitimate president. In a televised address, he rejected an army ultimatum set for later today that the crisis be resolved through an agreement with the opposition. At least 16 pro-government supporters died in clashes overnight at rival demonstrations between those who are in favour of the government and its opponents. Military sources say the general command of the Egyptian armed forces is holding a crisis meeting.

Quake toll in Indonesia rises

The death toll from yesterday's earthquake in Indonesia has risen to 22 with hundreds injured. Rescue crews are searching the island of Sumatra to see if anyone is trapped in the rubble of fallen homes and landslides. The quake measured 6.1 on the scale.

Portugal's crisis intensifies

The political and economic crisis in Portugal has intensified amid reports that the government is on the verge of collapse. Ministers have been leaving the coalition amid disagreements over the country's austerity programme. Portugal received a 78 billion Euro bailout in 2011.

Summit focuses on unemployment

A summit is being held in Germany to address youth unemployment. The heads of the EU's 28 labour agencies and employment ministers will meet before Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande gather for a conference in Berlin. The EU has agreed to put aside 6 billion euros, on top of other funding, to fight youth unemployment.

The weather

Showers and thunderstorms forecast in the West and some of those could be heavy. It'll be mainly sunny in the east and southeast. Highs in the far west will go up to 20 degrees, elsewhere between 23 and 31.

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