News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Ukraine’s president goes on sick leave

The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, has taken sick leave in the middle of the crisis that’s gripping his country. His office says he has an acute respiratory infection and a high temperature. Earlier Ukraine’s parliament approved a law granting an amnesty to those detained during anti-government protests. But opposition parties refused to back the bill which offers amnesty only if other protesters leave occupied government buildings across Ukraine.

Doctors reduce Schumacher’s sedation

In the last few minutes, the manager of the German motor racing champion Michael Schumacher has said that doctors in France are starting the process of reducing his sedation in order to allow the waking up process to start following his skiing accident a month ago. Schumacher has been in a medically-induced coma since the fall.

Homes “deliberately razed” in Syria

A new report by Human Rights Watch says the Syrian government has been "deliberately and unlawfully" demolishing thousands of homes to punish civilians suspected of backing the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad. Satellite images appear to show large-scale demolitions with explosives and bulldozers in opposition strongholds in Damascus and Hama.

Russia identifies Volgograd bombers

Russian authorities say they’ve identified the suicide bombers responsible for two attacks that killed 34 people in the city of Volgograd last month as members of a militant group in Dagestan province in the North Caucasus. They say have also arrested two suspected accomplices in Dagestan. The bombings have raised fears of further attacks before and during the Sochi Winter Olympics – which are due to begin next week.

Britain gives money to Russian gay rights groups

The British government says it will give more money to gay rights groups in Russia. The Russian government’s hostile attitude towards gay people has overshadowed much of the lead-up to the Winter Olympics in Sochi. The British Culture Minister, Maria Miller, explains the government’s decision to provide the extra funding for Russia’s gay rights activists: “I think it’s important that we state very clearly that as a country we believe in freedom of speech. We believe in the importance of universal human rights.”

Deadly attack on Iraqi Ministry

Officials in Iraq say at least 18 people were killed today in an assault by militants on a building belonging to the Ministry of Transport. Security forces say they regained control of the building.

Edward Snowden nominated for Noble Peace Prize

Edward Snowden, the former intelligence contractor who leaked hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. documents, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The American, who’s currently in Russia, is wanted by the U.S. to face charges over his leaks. Snorre Valen is one of two Norwegian MPs who put forward Snowden’s nomination: “I think that the policy changes that are brought forward by his disclosures are important and have led to the reintroduction of trust as a valuable currency.”

The Weather

Overcast in most of Austria. Heavy snow is forecast in the south. Some sunshine is forecast - along with föhn winds - from Vorarlberg across into the Mostviertel. Top temperatures will range mainly from -4C to +2C… although areas affected by the föhn could see highs of up to +10C.

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