Germany announces measures against Turkey +++ EU warns Poland over judicial reform +++ EU-Brexit progress report

20. August 2017, 02:00

Germany announces measures against Turkey

German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel has said relations with Turkey must take a new direction after the arrest of six human rights activists in Istanbul, including a German citizen, on charges of supporting a terrorist group. Announcing measures agreed with chancellor Angela Merkel, Gabriel said there must be consequences for Turkey’s actions, and that its application to join the European Union would be discussed with EU partners. The German government has also issued new travel advice which warns of risks for its citizens in Turkey.

EU warns Poland over judicial reform

The European Union has given Poland’s government a week to halt judicial reforms it says would put courts under direct government control and undermine democracy. Poland’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice party has accused the EU of interfering in an internal matter.

EU-Brexit progress report

The European Union’s chief negotiator for Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, Michel Barnier, and his British counterpart, David Davis, are today setting out what progress has been made in their latest round of talks, including on citizens' rights. Officials say the EU's insistence on a future oversight role for the European Court of Justice is a major point of contention.

Amnesty alleges mass torture in Cameroon

Amnesty International has published a report alleging security forces in Cameroon have tortured and killed dozens of suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist group. Amnesty spokesman Steven Coburn: “There’s a huge amount of routine systematic torture and detention. It’s really important that the Cameroonian authorities recognise there is a problem.”

Trump family to testify on Russia scandal

In the United States two congressional committees investigating whether Russia meddled in the presidential election are to question members of Donald Trump’s family. Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump junior, his son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as his former campaign manager Paul Manafort are scheduled to testify next week about a meeting with a Russian lawyer, as part of what they were told was a Russian government effort to get Trump elected president. Meanwhile president Trump has attacked his attorney general Jeff Sessions, one of his first prominent supporters, over his decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation.

Opposition call general strike in Venezuela

Venezuela’s opposition has called a general strike today against the government of president Nicolas Maduro, and his plans to rewrite the constitution. The opposition has accused Maduro of seeking to establish a dictatorship.
 

Easyjet takes up Austrian licence

The British budget airline Easyjet has been granted a licence to move its EU operations to Vienna. Britain risks losing access to Europe's internal 'open skies' arrangement when it leaves the EU.
 

The weather

Generally sunny and hot in the east, with scattered thundershowers toward evening. Cloudier in the west with rain and thunderstorms. Top temperatures 23 to 35 degrees.

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