News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Ukraine´s opposition issues ultimatum

Opposition leaders in Ukraine have issued an ultimatum to President Viktor Yanukovych, after talks failed to resolve the on-going political crisis. They´re demanding the government call snap elections or face an escalation in violence. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said compromises "might be possible", but the opposition should avoid ultimatums: "I would like European politicians to pay special attention to the fact that people are being asked to take up arms and support extremists and this can only lead to bloodshed. This is frightening." Three activists were killed in clashes with police in Kiev on Wednesday - the first fatalities since anti-government protests began in November.

Early release for Khodorkovsky´s ex-partner

Russia´s Supreme Court has ruled that Platon Lebedev, the ex-business partner of former oil tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, should be released from prison on Friday, four months early. President Vladimir Putin pardoned Khodorkovsky last month, ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics. Both men spent more than 10 years in prison in a case seen as Putin's revenge against Khodorkovsky for challenging his economic and political power.

Iran positive on US-EU ties

The Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran is negotiating with the United States as part of a quote "constructive engagement" with the world community. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Rouhani also said relations with Europe were being normalised as an interim nuclear accord is implemented.

Brahimi meets rival Syrian delegations

The international envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, will today hold separate meetings with the rival Syrian delegations attending peace talks in Switzerland. His aim is to gauge how far they are willing to work together when formal negotiations begin in Geneva on Friday.

Berlusconi faces new legal investigation

Prosecutors in Milan have opened a new investigation against former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi over accusations that he corrupted witnesses in a trial in which he was convicted of paying for sex with an underage prostitute. The announcement adds to a long list of legal problems hanging over the leader of Italy's main centre-right party, who has been banned from parliament over a separate tax fraud conviction.

13 arrests in new India gang rape

Police in India's West Bengal state say 13 people have been arrested in connection with the gang rape of a woman, allegedly on the orders of village elders who objected to her relationship with a man from another community. The 20-year-old woman has reportedly been admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

The weather

Some sun in the mountains, elsewhere overcast with light snowfall or drizzle. Top temperatures minus 2 to plus 6.

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