Assange arrest warrant upheld

STOCKHOLM • A Swedish appeals court yesterday upheld an arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange over a 2010 rape accusation, rejecting his request to have it lifted. The Stockholm appeals court also rejected Mr Assange's request to hold a hearing over the matter.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Snowden 'not a whistleblower'

WASHINGTON • Edward Snowden was a "disgruntled employee" and not a "principled whistleblower", according to a report from Congress, which comes amid mounting pressure for a presidential pardon. The former National Security Agency intelligence contractor leaked thousands of classified United States documents in 2013 revealing the vast US surveillance put in place after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Wildfire threatens protected areas

LIMA • A wildfire burning in the Peruvian Amazon that has charred some 20,000ha of rainforest and destroyed crops planted by indigenous communities was raging towards a national park and another protected area, authorities said on Thursday. Firefighters battled hot spots spanning 20km along the Ene River in the jungle region of Junin, said Mr Julio Jeri, an official with Peru's forest service.

REUTERS