News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Iraq’s Maliki rejects unity government

Iraq's prime minister Nouri Maliki has rejected calls for the formation of a national salvation government to help counter an offensive by Islamist-led Sunni rebels. Maliki said such a government would go against the results of parliamentary elections. The United States has been urging the formation of a unity government including minority Sunnis to draw support away from the militants. Meanwhile unconfirmed reports from Iraq say the army has regained control of the country’s largest oil refinery at Baiji from the insurgents.

NATO warns Russia over Ukraine

NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said there are no signs Russia is respecting its international commitments over Ukraine. British foreign minister William Hague speaking ahead of a NATO meeting in Brussels, said Russia must take concrete action: “We urge Russia to take the necessary action to stop the flow of arms across the border, to stop supporting illegally armed separatist groups in eastern Ukraine.” In Moscow, the upper house of the Russian parliament has voted overwhelmingly to cancel a resolution allowing the use of military force in Ukraine, after a request from president Putin yesterday. Meanwhile Ukraine's president Petro Poroshenko has warned that he may end a ceasefire between the army and pro-Russian rebels in the east, after rebels shot down a military helicopter yesterday, killing all nine people on board.

Libya holds parliamentary elections

Parliamentary elections are being held in Libya. The election was called a month ago amid continuing anarchy three years after the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Sudan accuses Ibrahim of forgery

The lawyer for a Sudanese woman, who has been re-arrested after she was freed from death row, says she has been accused of forging official documents to leave Sudan. Meriam Ibrahim was detained at Khartoum airport yesterday travelling on emergency documents issued by South Sudan.

Dozens die in Afghan clashes

Officials in Afghanistan say at least 100 Taliban militants have been killed in five days of clashes in Helmand province. Over 2,000 families have been displaced by the fighting.

South Africa strike ends

Around 70,000 platinum miners are returning to work in South Africa after a five month strike over wages was settled. The strike was the longest in South Africa’s history and is estimated to have cost the workers and the economy billions of dollars.

Spanish princess may face trial

A court in Spain has upheld charges of tax fraud and money laundering against Princess Cristina and her husband Iñaki Urdangarin in one of the last steps before opening trial proceedings. An appeal has been lodged against the decision.

The Weather

Rain and thundershowers across much of the country. Sunny in the east until evening. Top temperatures 14 to 27 degrees.

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