News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Two Pussy Riot members freed in Russia

The two jailed members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot have been freed early from prison… as part of an amnesty granted by President Vladimir Putin. Both women were serving a two year sentence for staging a protest against Putin in Moscow's main Cathedral. The first to be released this morning was... Maria Alyokhina. She told a Russian TV channel that the amnesty was a "PR stunt" and she would rather have remained in prison: “Yes - I was keen to reject this amnesty. But the prison had received an order. That’s why I was brought here. Now I would like to meet human rights activists. I would like to engage in human rights activity.

Thai protesters block poll registration

Anti-government protesters in Thailand’s capital Bangkok have surrounded the stadium where candidates were due to register to stand in February's elections… forcing the event to be relocated. The demonstrators say political reform is needed before any poll can take place. The Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, called for election after weeks of protests demanding the replacement of her government by an unelected council.

UN vows to defend South Sudan civilians

The United Nations mission in South Sudan says it will NOT abandon the civilians there after a week of ethnic violence that has raised fears of a civil war. It says the U.N compounds, where more than 20,000 people have taken refuge, are safe for now. Joseph Contreras is a spokesman for the U.N. in South Sudan’s capital Juba: “For those who are trying to attack us or intimidate us - our message is loud and clear. We are going to continue to serve the people of this country and we are staying put for the duration.”

Al-Qaeda apologises for Yemen Attack

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has offered a rare apology to the families of those killed in an attack on a military hospital in Yemen earlier this month. The group says one of its fighters disobeyed orders and targeted medics and patients during the raid on the Defence Ministry compound in Sanaa. 52 people were killed. However, despite the apology, the group says its attacks against the Yemeni authorities will continue.

Apple in major iPhone deal with China

The American technology company Apple has signed a deal to supply its iPhone to China Mobile - the world’s biggest phone carrier. Apple has been looking to boost its sales in China, the world's largest smartphone market, which is dominated by Samsung

747 clips office Building at Johannesburg airport

Reports from South Africa say a Boeing 747 plane, carrying more than 200 people, has struck an office building while preparing to take off from Johannesburg. The British Airways flight to London was taxiing at the city’s international airport when its right wing hit the building, injuring four people inside. South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority says the aircraft mistakenly travelled down a taxi-way that was too narrow for it.

The Weather

Any remaining cloud and fog should disappear, leaving sunshine in most of Austria. Highs are ranging mainly from 4C to 12C - although it will be colder in those places where the fog persists.

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