News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Navalny given five year prison term

The Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to five years in prison for embezzlement, at a trial he claims is politically motivated. He was convicted of theft from a state-owned timber company. Navalny emerged from rallies against President Vladimir Putin last year as a major opposition figure and has campaigned against corruption. He is running in elections for Moscow mayor in September, and his campaign manager Leonid Volkov says his team may continue with his candidacy: “We will continue with the campaign because it is very probably that still eh will be on the ballot so we will try to win the elections even in this case.” Navalny has previously said he intends to run in the next presidential election, due in 2018.

Protests banned in central Athens

Greek authorities have banned all protests in central Athens today during a visit by German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble for talks with Greek leaders. Many Greeks view Schaeuble as a leading supporter of austerity measures which have led to a sharp fall in living standards and record unemployment. In the latest austerity measure required in return for its international bailout, Greece’s parliament last night approved a bill to cut thousands of public sector jobs.

Palestinians to consider peace talks

Palestinian officials have said president Mahmoud Abbas will confer with Palestinian leaders later today, about a possible resumption of peace negotiations with Israel, after an almost three-year freeze. The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, has pursued six months of intensive diplomacy between the two sides. The Arab League has backed a resumption of peace talks.

Protestors shot dead in Kashmir

Police in Indian-administered Kashmir say government forces have shot dead four protestors. Reports suggest villagers were protesting after troops entered a local mosque.

Panama charges North Korean ship crew

Panama has charged the crew of a North Korean ship caught smuggling arms from Cuba, with endangering public security. North Korea has called on Panama to release the ship and its crew without delay.

Mandela birthday marked

Events are taking place around the world to mark the 95th birthday of former South African president Nelson Mandela, honouring his struggle against apartheid and work promoting reconciliation. Mandela has been in hospital with a lung infection for the past five weeks.

Monsanto to withdraw from EU

The Monsanto agriculture company says it is to withdraw all pending approval requests to grow new types of genetically modified crops in the European Union. The company cited a lack of commercial prospects for cultivation.

The weather

Mainly sunny in the east, changeable in the west with rain and thunderstorms. Top temperatures 22 to 32 degrees.

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