News in English

16. April 2017, 02:00

PM Rutte wins elections in Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the centre-right party of Prime Minister Mark Rutte has emerged as the winner of yesterday's general election. With almost all votes counted, his party defeated the anti-immigration Freedom Party of Geert Wilders which had pledged to take the Netherlands out of the EU and close mosques. Speaking to supporters last night, Rutte said voters had chosen stability: "it's also an evening where the Netherlands - after Brexit, after the US elections - said "stop" to the wrong kind of populism." Coalition talks, which are expected to take weeks, are due to begin later today. Rutte's VVD party had ruled out a coalition with Wilders but will need the support of at least 3 other parties. The result of the election has been welcomed by several European leaders including the head of the EU Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. He described the poll result as "an inspiration", saying voters had chosen to support European values.

Queen approves Brexit bill

In the UK, Queen Elizabeth has formally approved legislation giving the government the power to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty. The move will start the negotiating process for the UK to leave the bloc. Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to do that by the end of this month.

Trump's new travel ban blocked

The US President Donald Trump has condemned the latest setback to his efforts to freeze immigration from 6 mainly Muslim countries. Just hours before his revised travel ban was to come into effect, a federal judge in Hawaii blocked it, saying it was discriminatory and that the government's argument that the ban was a matter of national security was based on "questionable evidence". Trump reacted angrily to the ruling: "this ruling makes us look weak! We're going to fight this terrible ruling. We're going to take our case as far as it needs to go including all the way up to the Supreme Court. We're going to win. We're going to keep our citizens safe."

Turkey re-evaluating refugee deal with EU

The Turkish government says it's re-evaluating its refugee and migrant agreement with the European Union. The deal was aimed at reducing the numbers of people trying to reach the EU in exchange for financial aid. The development comes at a time of tense relations between Turkey and the EU after several European countries prevented Turkish politicians from holding rallies intended to drum up support for President Erdogan ahead of next month's referendum which could give him new powers.

Warning for Great Barrier Reef

Scientists are warning that Australia's Great Barrier Reef can only be saved if urgent steps are taken to reduce global warming. Research published in the journal Nature said that climate change was the single greatest threat to the Reef and that it was up to the governments in Australia and around the world to take action.

The weather

Mainly sunny with some cloud about in the east. A lively wind and it'll be mild with highs ranging between 12 and 20 degrees.

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