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Barack Obama says Spying must not hurt US-German ties

President Barack Obama has said he will not let controversial surveillance by US intelligence services undermine Washington’s ties with Germany.

Speaking to Germany’s ZDF TV, he indicated that US bugging of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone had been a mistake and would not happen again.

After the row broke out last year, Mrs Merkel accused the US of an unacceptable breach of trust.

On Friday, Mr Obama ordered curbs on how intelligence was being collected.

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Iranian diplomat killed in a gun attack in the Yemeni

An Iranian diplomat has been killed in a gun attack in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

He was shot as he was leaving the Iranian ambassador’s residence in the southern Hadda district by car.

The diplomat, named as Ali Asghar Assadi, was taken to hospital but died from his wounds.

Iranian state TV said he had been hit in the chest and stomach while driving. It said Mr Assadi, described as Iran’s economic attache, had been “martyred”.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman said: “Around noon today (Saturday) a group of terrorists attacked a diplomat from our embassy in one of the streets of Sanaa attempting to kidnap him. But, because the diplomat resisted, the terrorists opened fire on him.”

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Edward Snowden may have been working with Russia

US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden may have collaborated with Russia, the chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee has alleged.

“I believe there’s a reason he ended up in the hands, the loving arms, of an agent in Moscow,” Rep Mike Rogers told CBS’s “Face the Nation” programme.

Mr Rogers offered no firm evidence to back his theory, and the FBI is said to remain sure Mr Snowden acted alone.

Mr Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia.

The former National Security Agency contractor faces espionage charges over his actions, but denies turning over documents to any foreign government.

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Catherine Samba-Panza elected by Central African Republic MPs

Bangui mayor Catherine Samba-Panza, 59, has been elected interim president of the Central African Republic, making her the first woman to hold the post.

She beat her rival Desire Kolingba in the second round of voting by the interim parliament.

Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers agreed at a meeting on Monday to send troops to CAR, diplomatic sources said.

Violence has continued, with two Muslim men killed and burnt in the capital Bangui on Sunday.

Nearly a million people have been forced from their homes – 20% of the population – by the conflict between Muslims and Christians.

In her victory speech, Ms Samba-Panza urged Christian militias, known as anti-balaka, and Muslim fighters in the ex-Seleka rebel movement to end the bloodshed.

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Fourth trial called for Mohammed Morsi

The ousted president of Egypt, Mohammed Morsi, faces a fourth trial, on charges of insulting the judiciary.

The Islamist leader and 24 other politicians, media personalities, activists and lawyers will be tried on the new charges, judicial sources said.

Mr Morsi was removed from power in July and his Muslim Brotherhood declared a terrorist organisation.

His first trial to date was adjourned earlier this month.

Correspondents say the new trial is a sign that the military have no intention of easing their crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood.

The move followed a referendum in which 98% of voters approved a new constitution, according to electoral officials.

The vote was seen as a vote on the legitimacy of the military’s removal of Mr Morsi.

Turnout was less than 40% amid a boycott by Morsi supporters, who dismissed it as a “farce”.

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