Austria could be headed for a snap election +++ Trump contradicts White house on Comey sacking +++

12. Juni 2017, 02:00

Austria could be headed for a snap election

The Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, who is widely tipped to be the new leader of the conservative People´s Party, says he personally believes that early elections are the best way forward. His party is in coalition with the Social Democrats and the surprise resignation of its leader, vice-chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner, has led to political turmoil. In a televised address, Kurz said a cabinet reshuffle would not benefit his ÖVP or the government. A decision on the new ÖVP leadership is expected on Sunday.

Trump contradicts White house on Comey sacking

Donald Trump says he wants to speed up the investigation into alleged links between Russia and his campaign team during the presidential election, as the fallout continues over his sacking of the FBI Director James Comey. In an interview with NBC television, Trump said he always intended to fire Comey, contradicting White House statements that he acted on the recommendation of top justice officials. Earlier, the acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe rejected Trump´s claims of "turmoil" at the bureau and strongly disputed White House assertions that Comey had lost the confidence of the FBI's rank-and-file.Aaron Blake is senior political reporter at the Washington Post: "It seems clear that this is a situation in which Trump simply didn´t like James Comey. From there it´s an open question about whether it´s Trump doing it for his own political purposes or because he really thought that James Comey was not a good FBI Director."

The US recognises Paris climate accord

The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has signed an agreement recognizing the landmark Paris climate accord at a meeting of Arctic nations in Alaska. But he said the United States will consider its interests first as it reviews its policy on climate change.

Macron´s party names parliamentary candidates

The party of French President-elect Emmanuel Macron has selected a diverse list of 428 candidates for parliamentary elections next month. Twenty-four are outgoing Socialist MPs from the current parliament. Half come from civil society and half are women. Macron still needs to select over 100 candidates for the 577-seat parliament.

Erdogan hopes for better US ties

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that his visit to Washington next week will herald a new beginning. Relations between the NATO allies have been strained by serious differences over Syria policy.

The weather

A mix of sunshine, rain and thundery showers, with highs from 15 to 25.

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