Court orders release of female protesters

A court in Sudan has overturned flogging sentences for nine women accused of taking part in protests against President Omar al-Bashir. The suspects were arrested a week ago and were sentenced to a month's imprisonment and 20 lashes. BBC News reports that an appeals court ordered their immediate release, saying they had been in prison long enough. Parliament on Monday halved the year-long state of emergency imposed by al-Bashir. The ongoing protests over price hikes are now focused on removing him from power.