Catalan candidate not allowed to leave jail

MADRID • Spain's Supreme Court said yesterday that the candidate to lead the Catalan government would not be permitted to leave jail to attend an investiture vote next week.

Catalonia's Parliament is expected to convene next Monday to vote on the region's new leader.

Jordi Sanchez, the candidate put forward by secessionist parties, is currently in jail as he awaits trial on charges of rebellion and sedition over Catalonia's illegal referendum and unilateral declaration of independence from Spain last October.

REUTERS

Mauritian President to step down over scandal

PORT LOUIS • Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is to resign after becoming embroiled in a financial scandal, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced yesterday.

Mrs Gurib-Fakim, who is the only female head of state in Africa, has been accused of using a bank card provided by a non-governmental organisation to make personal purchases. She will step down after ceremonies to mark the 50th anniversary of independence on March 12.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Ex-Trump campaign aide pleads not guilty

ALEXANDRIA (Virginia) • US President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort has pleaded not guilty to additional criminal charges stemming from the probe into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and will face trial in July.

Manafort pleaded not guilty in a Virginia courtroom on Thursday to charges ranging from bank fraud to filing false tax returns that were brought by Mr Robert Mueller, the United States special counsel for the Russia probe.

REUTERS