News | 27 july 2017

Israel removes security measures +++ Italy to send shops to Libyan coast

Israel removes security measures +++ Italy to send shops to Libyan coast +++ Macron wants asylum centres in Libya +++ Maduro denounces US sanctions +++ Sweden scandal over IT +++ EU ‘should ready US sanctions’ +++ Trump trans-gender ban unprepared +++ The weather

News | 27 july 2017

Joanna King

Israel removes security measures

Israeli police have said all new security measures have been removed from the Al Aqsa compound or Temple Mount, in Jerusalem, after days of violent protests by Palestinians. Muslim elders in Jerusalem have said they are satisfied with the move. Jordan's religious body that administers the holy site said the dismantling of the measures was a victory for Palestinians. The extra security was introduced after the killing of two Israeli policemen.

Italy to send shops to Libyan coast

The Italian government has said it will send six ships to Libya to reinforce its coastguard’s efforts to stop human smuggling. Libyan prime minister Fayez al-Seraj had previously refused access to the European Union's anti-trafficking sea mission. The Italian deployment is to stop refugee boats leaving the Libyan coast, and to assist in the rescue at sea of refugees who are to be returned to Libyan territory.

Macron wants asylum centres in Libya

French president Emmanuel Macron has said he hopes within months to set up centres within Libya to handle asylum requests. Macron earlier this week, hosted talks at which prime minister al-Serraj and general Khalifa Haftar who controls much of Libya’s east agreed a conditional ceasefire.

Maduro denounces US sanctions

Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro has denounced as illegal sanctions imposed by the United States on 13 senior Venezuelan political and military officials. The US has warned Maduro not to go ahead with a controversial vote on Sunday to elect a new assembly with powers to re-write the constitution.

Sweden scandal over IT

Sweden’s prime minister Stefan Lofven has begun a government reshuffle after opposition parties said they would file a no-confidence vote in three ministers over one of the largest security breaches in the country. The security breach may have allowed IT workers abroad to access confidential information in the government and police database.

EU ‘should ready US sanctions’

An influential German industry association has said the European Union must be prepared to impose counter measures on the United States if proposed new US sanctions against Russia hurt European energy companies. The German Committee on East European Economic Relations also said the measures passed last week by the US House of Representatives appear designed to promote exports by US energy firms.

Trump trans-gender ban unprepared

The White House has acknowledged that it has no plan in place to implement President Trump's surprise decision to ban transgender people from serving in the US military. Trump's announcement on Twitter has been strongly criticised by rights groups.

The weather

Mainly cloudy with scattered showers. A few sunny spells especially in the south. Top temperatures 17 to 26 degrees.

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