News | 26 July 2017

EU approves push back of asylum seekers +++ US House backs new Russia sanctions

EU approves push back of asylum seekers +++ US House backs new Russia sanctions +++ Spain’s Rajoy gives testimony in court +++ France wildfires force mass evacuation +++ The weather

News | 26 july 2017

Rosie Waites

EU approves push back of asylum seekers

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Austria and Slovenia acted legally when they sent asylum seekers back to Croatia, during the refugee and migrant crisis of 2015 and 2016. The so-called Dublin regulation requires refugees to claim asylum in the first EU country they arrive in, but Croatia had argued that EU border states should not be responsible for asylum applications in such exceptional circumstances. The judgement did say that refugees shouldn't be sent back to countries where they might be badly treated. In a related issue, the court's adviser recommended that the court accepts the EU's scheme to relocate asylum seekers from Greece and Italy to other countries.

US House backs new Russia sanctions

Russia has reacted angrily to a vote in the US House of Representatives, backing new sanctions on Moscow. The bill targets key Russian officials for Moscow's alleged meddling in last year's presidential elections and for Russian interference in eastern Ukraine. Democratic Congressman David Cicilline says the sanctions are vital to hold Russia to account: "I think the White House understands that Russia did try to mess with our elections again, not affecting the vote - that's clear as well, too. But I think it's important that we send that strong message. I think ultimately the President will support it, I think if he didn't he may get overridden, a veto would get overridden. But I think that the President will support it." The Russian deputy foreign minister says the proposed sanctions are a step towards destroying better ties between Moscow and Washington.

Spain’s Rajoy gives testimony in court

The Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, has been giving evidence in a long running corruption trial involving his conservative People's Party. He's the first sitting Spanish premier to testify in court. The trial centres on allegations of a vast kickback scheme, where companies bribed politicians and officials to gain contracts. Rajoy, who is a witness and not a defendant, said he had no knowledge of the scheme.

France wildfires force mass evacuation

More than ten thousand people have been evacuated from two towns threatened by forest fires in the south of France. The blaze has spread across almost 40 square kilometres along the Mediterranean coast, in the mountainous interior, and on the island of Corsica.

The weather

Some heavy rain on the northern side of the Alps, the east and south will see a mix of showers and sunny periods. Highs today ranging from 11 degrees to 24 degrees.

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