News in English

27. April 2017, 02:00

Russian opposition leader in court

Russia's main opposition leader Alexei Navalny has appeared in a court in Moscow after he was arrested yesterday at an anti-corruption protest he organised. Tens of thousands of people yesterday joined the biggest demonstrations across Russia since anti-government protests five years ago. Human rights groups say around 1,000 people were arrested at mostly unauthorised marches. The Kremlin has condemned the protests, accusing the opposition of provoking violence.

Turkish referendum vote opens

Turkish citizens abroad have begun voting in a referendum on constitutional reform in Turkey. A yes vote in the referendum, which takes place in Turkey on April 16th, would greatly expand the powers of president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Critics say the reform will undermine democracy. Political scientist Jonathan Friedman says the votes of the around 3 million expatriate Turks may play a crucial role in the referendum outcome.

Pro-EU party wins in Bulgaria

Preliminary results from parliamentary elections in Bulgaria show the centre-right pro-European Union GERB party winning, with around 33 percent of the vote. The Socialist Party, which called for improved ties with Russia, came second with around 27 percent, doubling its share of the vote since the last election in 2014.

CDU wins strongly in Saarland

In Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party has won a decisive victory in state elections in Saarland, increasing its share of the vote by 5% to over 40%. The Social Democrats took just under 30% in the first election since Martin Schulz took over as national party leader. The election was closely watched ahead of Germany’s general election in September.

Rebel forces take key IS base

Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters say they have taken full control of a key airbase from the Islamic State terror group, near its stronghold of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says air strikes by the United States-led coalition supporting the advance against IS have killed at least 89 civilians over the past week. Meanwhile, another group of rebels and their families are being evacuated from the last opposition-held neighborhood in the central city of Homs, under an agreement brokered by Russia.

Warrant sought for South Korea president

In South Korea prosecutors have applied for an arrest warrant for former president Park Geun-hye. Prosecutors say she abused her position as president to receive bribes from companies.

Australia readies for cyclone

Australian authorities have ordered around 25,000 people on the Queensland coast to evacuate their homes. A cyclone carrying winds up to 240km/h is expected to strike the area early on Tuesday local time.

The weather

Generally sunny. Top temperatures 8 to 20 degrees.

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