Trump pleads not guilty, Khan is handed three-year jail term

Trump pleads not guilty to 2020 election charges

Former US President Donald Trump on Friday pleaded not guilty in a Washington DC court to conspiring to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

During a short arraignment, he spoke softly to confirm his not-guilty plea, name and age, and that he was not under the influence of any substances.

He later told reporters the case was "persecution of a political opponent".

It marks the former president's third appearance in four months as a criminal defendant.

Ethiopia declares state of emergency in Amhara

Ethiopia’s cabinet agreed to declare a state of emergency in the restive Amhara region following days of clashes between local militias and the army.

The move comes a day after Amhara region’s head, Yilkal Kefale, called on the federal government to intervene, declaring security in the region had become “difficult to control within regular law enforcement mechanisms”.

Local militias, known as the Fano, have reportedly gained control of several towns and villages as well as some bigger cities.

Flights have been suspended to at least two cities in the region and the mobile data services have been cut off.

US approves postpartum depression pill

The US has approved the first pill for postpartum depression.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said zuranolone, sold under the brand name Zurzuvae, has been approved as a once-daily pill taken for two weeks.

Until now, treatment for postpartum depression (PPD) was available only as an intravenous injection, the FDA said.

Drug manufacturers Sage Therapeutics and Biogen said the pill is expected to be available later this year. No price has yet been announced.

Moroccan jailed for criticising king on Facebook

The lawyer for a Moroccan man accused of criticising the Moroccan king on social media has told journalists his client has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Said Boukioud was charged with "undermining the monarchy" for comments he posted on Facebook in 2020 criticising Morocco's normalisation of ties with Israel.

He was living in Qatar at the time.

The Moroccan constitution stipulates that foreign affairs are the responsibility of King Mohammed VI and any comments that appear to question his authority are severely penalised.

Andrew Tate's Romania house arrest lifted

Andrew Tate and has been freed from house arrest in Romania pending his trial on rape and human trafficking charges.

The controversial influencer and his brother Tristan have been under house arrest since March and were charged in June. They deny the charges.

The pair can move freely around Bucharest and the surrounding district where they live.

They remain subject to judicial controls for 60 days.

They must report to the police when ordered to, and must inform them of any change of address.

Niger president Mohamed Bazoum calls on US for help after coup

Niger's ousted leader has urged the US and "entire international community" to help "restore... constitutional order" after last week's coup.

In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, President Mohamed Bazoum said he was writing "as a hostage".

Unrest has erupted in the West African state since he was overthrown.

In his newspaper article, Mr Bazoum warned the coup, if it succeeded, would have "devastating consequences for our country, our region and the entire world".

Ex- Pakistan PM given three-year jail sentence

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been given three-year jail sentence over corruption allegations.

A court in Islamabad found him guilty of not declaring money he had earned from selling state gifts. He denies the charges and says he will appeal.

After the verdict, Mr Khan was taken into custody from his home in Lahore.

Khan was elected in 2018, but was ousted in a no-confidence vote last year after falling out with the powerful military.

The court also imposed a fine of 100,000 rupees ($451).