News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Cyprus finalises capital control measures

The government in Cyprus is finalising a package of capital control measures in order to prevent a run on the banks by depositors following the bailout agreement with international lenders. Banks are due to re-open tomorrow. Cyprus's Finance Minister Michael Sarris says the restrictions are designed to help stop any mass withdrawals - but he says he hopes they will only be temporary: "once we get the message that things are beginning to get back to normal, I think we will be able to lift those controls. I think we are talking about a matter of weeks". In another development, it's being reported that the chief executive of the biggest bank in Cyprus, Yiannis Kypri, has been sacked by senior officials at the country's central bank. The move follows the appointment of a special administrator to run the Bank of Cyprus.

North Korea cuts military hotline with South

Amid ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea says it's cut off a key military hotline with South Korea. Pyongyang has been angered by fresh UN sanctions which followed its nuclear test last month.

Rights group reports abuses in Somalia

The organisation Human Rights Watch says internally displaced people in Somalia are suffering sexual violence and other forms of abuse by armed groups - including government forces. In the report, women who had fled conflict and famine to live in camps in the capital Mogadishu have described being gang-raped by men in army uniform as well as members of militias.

US Court debates gay marriage ban

The US Supreme Court is weighing up two cases brought by campaigners who support same-sex marriages. At the first hearing yesterday, the court considered a call to overturn California's ban on gay marriage. Later today it will look at arguments for striking down a law that denies federal benefits to same-sex couples.

Julia Pierson new head of US Secret Service

Staying with the US, and Julia Pierson has become the first female director of the Secret Service. The service - which has the job of protecting the president and his family - has faced strong criticism following a prostitution scandal last year during a presidential visit to Colombia.

Three bodies found in house in Lower Austria

Turning to Austrian news and it's being reported that three bodies have been discovered in a house in Marchfeld in Lower Austria. The house was earlier surrounded by Cobra, the special police commando unit. Local officials say a man, his wife and his daughter were all found with gunshot wounds. It's understood that the father had psychiatric problems and was in possession of two guns.

The weather

A mix of cloud and sunshine with most of the sunshine in the West. Just a bit of snow in places. Highs mostly around zero, but in the West up to 10.

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