Egypt Today’s evening international news

CAIRO – 6 November 2017: Egypt Today briefs top political news of the past 24 hours, starting with ex- Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont’s release after turning himself in on Sunday to the Belgian police.

Ex-Catalan leader Puigdemont freed with conditions in Belgium

A Belgian judge has granted conditional release to sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his ministers, and the group is scheduled to appear at court within 15 days, Belgian prosecutors said on Monday.


Catalan Regional President Carles Puigdemont gestures as he makes an statement at Generalitat Palace in Barcelona, Spain, October 4, 2017. Catalan Goverment/Jordi Bedmar Handout via REUTERS

On Sunday, the sacked Catalonian leader Carles Puigdemont has turned himself in to Belgian police, Belgian public broadcaster VRT said, citing a source.

The court's decision means Puigdemont, who left Spain last month after Madrid fired his secessionist government and dissolved the Catalan parliament, is free to campaign for independence for an election in the region on Dec 21.

Iraqi Constitution does not allow the separation of any of the components of the country
Iraqi Supreme Fedral Court said Monday that the Iraqi Constitution does not allow for any region of Iraq to secede from the country, pointing out that the Constitution emphasizes the unity of the country, according to the Russian agency, Sputnik.


Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi gestures during a news conference in Baghdad August 25, 2014. REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud

The Supreme Federal Court spokesperson said that the Iraqi constitution has no article to provide for separation.

Saudi Arabia closed its border with Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen closed the country's air, sea and land borders Monday and accused Iran of being behind a weekend missile attack on Riyadh, saying it "may amount to an act of war."


King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz – Reuters

On 4 November, Saudi Arabia's air defense intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, close to the capital Riyadh on Saturday, Al Arabiya TV reported.
State-owned Al Ekhbariya TV said it was brought down north of King Khaled Airport and there were no casualties reported.

Death toll from Vietnam storm nears 50

Vietnamese government said on Monday that the death toll from Typhoon Damre has risen to at least 50 people.


A bridge is seen on the overflowing Thu Bon river in UNESCO heritage ancient town of Hoi An after typhoon Damrey hits Vietnam November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Kham

The government added that 2,000 houses had collapsed and more than 80,000 had been damaged; flood water also has caused street congestion in all provinces.

Last month the flood killed more than 80 people in northern Vietnam, while more than 90 million people are prone to destructive storms and flooding due to its long coastline.

Valérie Plante elected Montreal's first woman mayor

Valerie Plante, 43, was elected Sunday as mayor of Montreal to be the first woman to hold the post in Canada and the only woman to head a major city in North America.


Valerie Plante defeats Denis Coderre to become Montreal's first female mayor

In her victory speech, Plante reiterated her campaign promises, which include improving public transit and lessening road congestion, as well as adding green spaces and social housing.