Franco-German talks in Paris +++ 11 die in storm +++ Moscow denies targeting hospitals

19. Februar 2018, 02:00

Franco-German talks in Paris

German chancellor Angela Merkel is in Paris today for talks with French president Emmanual Macron. The talks comes as Merkel is trying to put together a new grand coalition with the Social Democrats. It also comes a day after Macron told British prime minister Theresa May that Britain could not retain access to the EU financial sector after Brexit, which is due to come into effect in March of next year. Meanwhile, British foreign secretary Boris Johnson has called for the construction of a bridge linking the UK with France. Such abridge over the English Channel would have to be 35 kilometers long.

11 die in storm

A powerful storm has swept across northern Europe, killing eight people in Germany. Three others died in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Moscow denies targeting hospitals

Russia’s ambassador to the European Union has denied claims that his country has deliberately targeted hospitals during bombing raids in Syria. Moscow is a close ally of the Syrian government in its long-running civil war against rebel forces. Vladimir Chizov says mistakes in war cannot be avoided and that the rebels were using hospitals as bases: “It is a fact that those terrorist organizations have been using civilian facilities---hospitals, schools even---as shields.”

Turkish offensive expected in Syria

Turkey has amassed forces along Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria. Damascus has said it will shoot down any Turkish jets which enters its airspace, but Turkey is reaching out to Russia and Iran, both allies of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. Security analyst Paul Rogers: “From a Russian perspective, since Turkey is a member of NATO, anything which bolsters Russian-Turkey relations is actually seen to be quite good. From a Russian diplomatic sense, it actually makes a lot of sense.”

Reports of sexual abuse at UN

Britain’s Guardian newspaper is reporting of widespread sexual harassment and abuse at the United Nations. The article is based on interviews with current and former employees who claim there is a “culture of silence” at the organization. The office of UN Secretary-General Antonio Gueteres says he takes the allegations seriously and promises an investigation.

New cancer test announced

In the United States, experts at John Hopkins University say they have developed a blood test for detecting cancer. They say a test of 1000 patients showed a success rate of 70 percent in detecting 10 common cancers.

NZ prime minister expecting baby

New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has announced that she is expecting a baby in June. Ardern is 37 and became the head of government following an election late last year. She and her partner spoke earlier to the media outside their home in Auckland: “I will be taking six weeks of leave. After those six weeks, I’ll be coming back on deck.”

Ute Bock dies at 75

Vienna philanthropist Ute Bock has died in Vienna. She was well known for her help for the homeless and refugees. Ute Bock was 75 years old.

The weather

Partly sunny conditions this afternoon in the east and south. Elsewhere it will remain cloudy with scattered rain and snowfall, especially in the northern Alps. Highs today are ranging from 0 to 8 degrees.

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