News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Cyprus parliament votes on aid

The parliament in Cyprus will decide today whether to back the terms of an international financial bailout. In return, the government has to wind down its second-largest bank and heavy losses have been imposed on depositors with savings over 100,000 euros. The package is likely to be approved but by a narrow majority.

Ukraine criticised over Tymoshenko

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Ukrainian judges acted unlawfully when they ordered the imprisonment of the former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. The ruling said the move was politically motivated and a violation of her rights. Tymoshenko was given a seven-year jail sentence for abuse of office.

13 killed in blast in Damascus

There's been a big explosion in the centre of the Syrian capital Damascus. 13 people are reported to have been killed and dozens wounded. The blast comes a day after Prime Minister Wael al-Halki survived an attack on his convoy in the heart of the city

Call for improved safety in factories

Labour rights campaigners are calling on clothing companies to help improve workers' rights and safety standards in the wake of the garment factory disaster in Bangladesh. Nearly 400 people have been confirmed dead in the collapse of the building - but hundreds remain missing. Judy Gearhart is a spokeswoman from the International Labour Rights Forum: "we're pushing for brands to sign fire and building safety agreements which is essentially a contractual commitment to work with their suppliers to make the changes that need to be made to keep workers safe."

Extra medical staff sent to Guantanamo

The US has sent dozens of extra medical staff to Guantanamo Bay to try and handle a spreading hunger strike by prisoners at the detention facility. Officials say 100 out of the 166 detainees are refusing food. The inmates are protesting against their indefinite detention. Most are being held without charge.

Queen Beatrix abdicates

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has officially abdicated after 33 years on the throne. The 75-year old has stepped down in favour of her son Willem-Alexander who becomes the country's first king since 1890. Queen Beatrix announced her intention to stand down in January, saying it was time for a new generation to take over. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says there are high expectations for the new monarch: "he will work to the high standards that his mother has set - and his grandmother - and the kings and queens before, for this high office. At the same time he's a young man - relatively young - 46 years old."

The weather

This afternoon's weather outlook will be sunny and warm with a föhn wind. There’ll be occasional cloud with the possibility of brief thundery rain showers in the southwest and the north. Highs will be ranging between 17 and 29 degrees.

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