News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Court rules against Shinawatra

Thailand's Constitutional Court has ruled that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has abused her power and must step down. The case involved the transfer of a senior civil servant in 2011 which the court had said was done to benefit a relative - an accusation she's denied. Her supporters say the courts are politically biased. It's been announced that the Trade Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan will replace Shinawatra until a general election is held in July. The developments follow months of political turmoil with anti-government protests on the streets. Nopaddon Pattama is an advisor to the prime minister - he says the focus now must be on the election: “"from now on we have to focus on the general election so that the Thai people can determine their own future. And can have the new government as soon as possible."

Syria rebels start leaving Homs

Opposition forces in Syria are beginning to leave the old city of Homs after a two-year siege by government forces. Hundreds of fighters have started evacuating their positions under a deal brokered by the UN. Today's evacuation comes after months of gains by President Assad's forces and less than 4 weeks before presidential elections.

Elections in South Africa

Voting is well underway in general elections in South Africa with the governing African National Congress expected to hold onto power. However, it is also predicted to lose some support amid concerns over high unemployment and corruption. The main opposition parties are the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

US joins search for Nigerian girls

A team of US experts has been sent to Nigeria to help find over 200 schoolgirls abducted last month by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. Yesterday it emerged that another 8 girls had been taken from a village in the state of Borno. US President Barack Obama : "we have offered - and it's been accepted - help from our military and law enforcement officials. We're going to do everything we can to provide assistance to them."

IMF aid starts for Ukraine

Ukraine has received the first tranche of financial aid from a two-year programme set up by the International Monetary Fund. In other developments, it's being reported that government forces have retaken the city hall in the south-eastern port of Mariupol from pro-Russia separatists.

Maria Lassnig dies at 94

The internationally renowned Austrian artist Maria Lassnig has died at the age of 94. Among her awards, she received the Grand Austrian State Prize in 1988 and was awarded the Golden Lion at the Biennale art exhibition in Venice last year.

The weather

There’ll be increasing rain and storms with a strong wind. Highs are ranging mostly between 10 and 18 degrees, in the east and southeast up to 23.

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