News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

US army whistle-blower to be set free

US President Barak Obama has commuted the 35 year jail sentence handed down to transgender whistle-blower Chelsea Manning. The 29 year old former US Army private was convicted in 2013 of espionage and theft for leaking thousands of diplomatic cables to the WikiLeaks website. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan called the move outrageous, while Nathan Fuller, who has campaigned for Manning's release, says it doesn't go far enough. “This is the least he could do at, pretty much, the last minute. The fact that it’s commuting her sentence and not pardoning her means that her conviction and the precedent that it sets, she was sentenced longer than any other leaker in history, that all stays on the record.”

Italian conservative to head EU parliament

The Italian conservative Antonio Tajani has been elected as the new president of the European Parliament. The 63 year old former EU Commissioner succeeds Social Democrat Martin Schulz, who is returning to politics in his native Germany. Tajani faces the tough task of uniting the EU Parliament, amid growing threats from Eurosceptic parties and the withdrawal of Great Britain from the bloc.

Juncker calls for balanced Brexit deal

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker says he will do everything in his power to secure a balanced deal for Great Britain when it leaves the European Union. His comments follow yesterday's speech by British Prime Minister Theresa May in which she outlined her Brexit plan. May said Britain could not remain within the European single market but would push for the freest possible trade deal. The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, said May could not expect to get a deal that was better than full EU membership. “We shall never accept a situation in which it is better to be outside the European Union, outside the single market, than to be a member of the European Union. If you want the advantages of a single market and a customs union, you have to take also the obligations.”

Iraqi military makes major advance in Mosul

The Iraqi military says its forces are now in full control of eastern Mosul, three months after launching an offensive to recapture the city. Mosul is the last major stronghold of the so called Islamic State in Iraq.

Defeated Gambian president’s term extended

State media in The Gambia are reporting that the country's parliament has extended President Yahya Jammeh's term in office for a further 90 days. Jammeh was defeated in elections in December but is refusing to hand over power. Regional leaders have threatened to use force if he does not stand down when his term expires on Thursday.

Dozens killed in car bombing in Mali

Officials in Mali say at least 35 people have been killed and dozens injured in a car bomb attack in the northern city of Gao. The vehicle reportedly exploded at a military camp which houses soldiers and former rebel fighters.

Central Italy is rocked by more earthquakes

A series of strong earthquakes have struck central Italy. There are no reports of casualties but schools and rail links have been shut. The quakes were centered around the town of Amatrice, which was flattened by a powerful tremor last August.

The weather

Conditions will remain changeable this afternoon with cloud but also the chance of some sunshine. Top temperatures will range from -10 to 0.

Übersicht

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