02.08.2013

News in English

Berlusconi attacks prison ruling / The US condemns Snowden´s Russian asylum / US embassies to close over unspecified threat / Ohio abductor sentenced to life plus 1,000 years / African Union says Zimbabwe poll was “fair” / The weather

8. April 2017, 21:58

02.08.2013

Berlusconi attacks prison ruling

The former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has issued an angry and emotional online video, condemning his conviction on tax fraud charges - the first definitive sentence he´s received after dozens of previous trials. Italy´s highest court upheld his conviction and four year prison sentence on Thursday. It also ordered a further judicial review on whether he should be banned from holding public office. Berlusconi, who´s 76, is expected to be placed under house arrest or serve community service. The ruling leaves the fate of Italy's fragile ruling coalition hanging in the balance.

The US condemns Snowden´s Russian asylum

The United States says it´s extremely disappointed at Russia's decision to grant asylum to the fugitive intelligence analyst Edward Snowden. The White House is reportedly reconsidering a meeting scheduled for next month on the side lines of the G20 summit in St. Petersburg between President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Jay Carney is the White House spokesman: "Mr. Snowden is not a whistle blower. He is accused of leaking classified information and has been charged with three felony counts, and he should be returned to the United States as soon as possible, where he will be accorded full due process and protections." Snowden has now reportedly left the Moscow airport where he´d been stranded since arriving from Hong Kong on June 23.

US embassies to close over unspecified threat

The US state department has announced the closure of a number of embassies and consulates in the Middle East, Africa and Asia on Sunday in response to an unspecified threat. The order applies to any embassy or consulate usually open on a Sunday, a normal working day in the Muslim world. Among those affected is the US Consulate in Libya, which was attacked on September the 11th last year. Four Americans were killed.

Ohio abductor sentenced to life plus 1,000 years

Staying with the United States, and the Cleveland bus driver, who abducted, imprisoned and tortured three women for a decade, has been sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years with no parole. Ariel Castro had pleaded guilty to over 900 charges, including kidnapping, rape, assault and aggravated murder.

African Union says Zimbabwe poll was “fair”

Zimbabwe´s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has described the country's presidential and parliamentary elections as a "sham" and a "huge farce," following allegations of voting irregularities and manipulation. The African Union has described the vote as free, fair and credible. Local observers in Zimbabwe say it was seriously compromised and one million urban voters had been disenfranchised.