Zimbabwe waits for army’s next move +++ Lebanon’s Hariri ‘accepts France invite’

17. Dezember 2017, 02:00

Zimbabwe waits for army’s next move

South Africa's defence and security ministers are expected to meet Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, and the military commanders who have put him under house arrest. The army took control of the country on Wednesday, in an apparent attempt to stop Mugabe's wife, Grace, from positioning herself to take over the presidency. Many analysts expect the sacked vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, to take over. One opposition leader, Tendai Biti, called on the military to restore democracy: "What we democrats are praying for, is that there is a return to constitutional legitimacy as soon as possible - that there is a transitional authority preparing for an election, which is addressing some of the fundamental problems and fundamental contradictions which have given rise to this coup."

Lebanon’s Hariri ‘accepts France invite’

The French president's office says that the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, has accepted an invitation to visit France in the coming days. Hariri has been in Saudi Arabia since announcing his resignation 12 days ago. France, the former colonial power in Lebanon, has been working to resolve the ensuing crisis.

Merkel wraps up exploratory coalition talks

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has said big differences remain between her governing Christian Democrat Alliance, the liberal Free Democrats and the Greens. But she said she's optimistic that a coalition deal can be struck and that they have enough common ground to move to the next phase of negotiations. Crucial differences exist on issues such as immigration, climate policy and the Eurozone.

Pressure mounts on Germany to phase out coal

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has described global warming as the defining threat of our time. His comments come as world leaders gather in Germany, for their first big meeting since Donald Trump announced that the US is pulling out of the Paris agreement on climate change. Germany's Angela Merkel faces growing pressure to announce a deadline for ending her country's use of coal. Jennifer Morgan is from Greenpeace: "I think we are winning on coal, but there is more to do, and we need Chancellor Merkel - actually in the next two days - to commit Germany to phase out coal by 2030."

‘Da Vinci artwork’ sells for record price

A painting attributed to the Italian master, Leonardo Da Vinci, has sold at auction in New York for 450 million dollars - the highest price ever paid for a work of art. The painting depicts Jesus Christ, and is known as Salvator Mundi - Saviour of the World.

The weather

A mainly cloudy afternoon with some sunny spells in mountain regions. Highs today ranging from 0 to 9 degrees.

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