News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Magnitsky found guilty of fraud

A court in Moscow has delivered a guilty verdict in the tax fraud case against the late Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. A British investor whom he represented was also convicted in absentia and sentenced to 9 years in prison. Magnitsky was arrested in 2008 after accusing Russian officials of tax fraud but was later himself accused. His death in custody a year later led to a major diplomatic dispute between Russia and the United States. It´s the first time in Soviet or Russian history that a defendant has been tried posthumously.

Luxembourg faces snap elections

Luxembourg is facing new elections after Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker announced his resignation following a secret service scandal. Europe's longest-serving head of government stepped down following claims by the Socialists, the junior coalition partner, that he failed to stop corruption and illegal activity by the security agency. Alex Bodry is the Socialist party president: "Strong action from the prime minister, strong action from the whole government and strong action from the House are now necessary to give a chance to rebuild confidence in our institutions that have suffered greatly."

US-Egypt fighter jet deal on track

The United Nations´ food agency says that civil unrest and dwindling foreign exchange reserves raise serious food security concerns in Egypt. Meanwhile, the United States has announced that it still plans to deliver four F-16 fighter jets to Egypt, despite the Egyptian military's ouster of President Mohamed Morsi. The disclosure came as the US treads a careful line, amid a debate over whether Morsi's removal legally constitutes a "coup." If defined as such, US law would require Washington to halt aid to the Egyptian military, which receives the majority of the 1.5 billion dollars in annual US assistance to Egypt.

50 missing or dead in Canada train disaster

At least 50 people are now believed to be either missing or dead after a runaway train carrying over 70 tanker cars of crude oil exploded in Canada. Police in Quebec say they've launched a criminal probe into the disaster which destroyed the centre of Lac-Megantic. The train operator has blamed a local engineer for the accident, saying he had probably failed to set a series of hand brakes.

Reburial of Srebrenica victims

Tens of thousands of people have gathered in Bosnia to rebury 409 newly identified victims of the Srebrenica massacre. The ceremony coincides with the 18th anniversary of the massacre by Serb forces.

The weather

Some sunshine, with the chance of thundery showers in the mountains and the south. Highs today from 17 to 27, warmest in the west.

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