Europe
Romanian President survives impeachment vote
Romanian President Traian Basescu has survived a referendum on his impeachment, with turnout below the 50% threshold needed to validate the vote. Of those who voted, 87.5% supported his impeachment, according to the Central Election Bureau. President Basescu, who has been suspended by the country’s parliament, had asked supporters to boycott Sunday’s vote. His arch-rival, Prime Minister Victor Ponta, said he no longer had any legitimacy in office. The impeachment vote is the latest twist in a long power struggle between the two that has at times caused alarm in Europe.
North America
“Seal flu” gives US scientists concern
Scientists in the United States have identified a new strain of influenza in harbour seals that could potentially affect human and animal health. The H3N8 flu strain, found to have contributed to the unusually high death rate of harbour seals in New England last year, is theorised to have evolved from a strain that had been circulating in birds. Dr Anne Moscona of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, who edited the report, says this new virus may be the first with the ability to persist and move between species. The research team had not considered that a bird flu could jump species to seals. Dr Moscona says the discovery demonstrates potentially pandemic viruses could come from unexpected sources.
Palestinians accuse Mitt Romney of racism as he concludes foreign tour in Poland
Mitt Romney’s comments at a breakfast with Jewish donors in Jerusalem yesterday, suggesting that “culture” might explain Palestinians’ income inferiority relative to Israel, have been branded racist by a senior Palestinian aide. Saeb Erekat said “it is a racist statement and this man doesn’t realise that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation”, referring to economic restrictions imposed by the Israelis. The Romney campaign has said his remarks were “grossly mischaracterised”.
Mr Romney is now in Poland on the final leg of a week-long foreign tour. He has met Polish ex-President Lech Walesa in Gdansk, where the shipyards are at the heart of the country’s trade union movement. That movement is today represented by the group Solidarity, which has distanced itself from Mr Romney’s visit.
Asia and Russia
Pussy Riot members plead not guilty
All three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot have pleaded not guilty to charges of hooliganism over an anti-Putin protest at Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral. The band burst into the cathedral in February and stood on the altar to sing an obscenity-laden song calling on the Virgin Mary to remove President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Orthodox Church accused the band of blasphemy, while their supporters say the band’s treatment demonstrates the state’s growing intolerance of its opponents. In a written statement, band member Mariya Alekhina said the stunt was an administrative offence, but had become a criminal case “as a result of the influence of political, law-enforcement and spiritual elites”.
Africa and Middle East
Syria crisis: renewed fighting in Aleppo
Fresh reports of fighting in Aleppo have emerged from the city as the Syrian army’s assault enters its fourth day. Activists have said at least 25 people died on Monday, while thousands of refugees continue to pour out of the city. The US and Turkey have agreed to redouble efforts to achieve “political transition” in Syria – this would include the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said the White House.
Ebola outbreak spreads to Ugandan capital
An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus that has so far claimed fourteen lives in western Uganda has spread to Kampala, Uganda’s capital, with one confirmed death in the city. The country’s President Yoweri Museveni has urged people to avoid physical contact, the chief means by which the disease spreads. Death rates are up to 90% for those infected by Ebola.
Australasia
Australia smashes Hong Kong drug ring in $500m seizure
After a tip-off from the US Drug Enforcement Administration and a year-long investigation, Australian police have seized drugs worth over half a billion dollars and broken up a Hong Kong-based drugs ring. Four Hong Kong nationals and three Australian residents were arrested in raids in Sydney yesterday, during which over half a tonne of drugs were seized. These included 306kg of crystal methamphetamine (the largest such seizure) and 252kg of heroin (the third largest). The drugs have an estimated worth of $526m US.
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