News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

German “grand coalition” deal agreed

German chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative alliance and the Social Democrats have reached a deal to form a coalition government, more than two months after the general election. The agreement must still win the approval by ballot of the nearly half a million Social Democrats party members. That vote is expected to be completed by mid-December.

Anti-government protests rock Thailand

On the fourth day of anti-government demonstrations in Thailand protestors have forced the closure of the crime agency. Protestors have now closed a number of state offices in Bangkok and across the country, in an effort to bring down the government of prime minister Ying-luck Shinawatra. Her secretary general, Suranand Vejjajiva says the situation is still under control: “This is still a police operation. We have no intention of using the army. We are reassured by everyone that the police can handle the situation.”

US defies China air zone

China says it monitored two unarmed United States bombers that flew over the East China Sea yesterday in defiance of a new air defence zone declared by Beijing. The US and Japan are refusing to acknowledge the zone which covers disputed islands. Japan has asked its airlines not to comply with China's request that they file their flight plans with Beijing.

Russia arrests “radical Islamists”

Russian police say 14 radical Islamists from a group originally founded in Egypt have been arrested in Moscow. They said bombs, hand grenades and guns were seized. There are heightened security concerns in Russia two months ahead of the Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi.

EU warns Britain over migrant laws

The EU Commissioner for employment, Laszlo Andor, has criticised a call from Britain’s prime minister David Cameron to renegotiate EU laws allowing citizens to work in any member country: “These rules have been developed by the members states themselves together, including by the United Kingdom, and this is part of the single market.” Cameron has announced a series of benefit restrictions on all EU migrant workers in Britain, claiming he is addressing public fears about an influx of Romanians and Bulgarians when EU restrictions on those two countries expire in January.

Italian Senate to vote on Berlusconi

The Italian Senate is scheduled to vote later today on whether to expel former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, because of his conviction for tax fraud. Analysts say senators are very likely to vote for his expulsion, stripping him of immunity from prosecution in a number of criminal cases.

The weather

Cloud clearing to a mainly sunny afternoon. Top temperatures minus 5 to plus 5 degrees.

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