News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Tension escalates in Crimea

The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says he is concerned about developments on the Crimean peninsula in southern Ukraine and has urged Russia not to do anything that would “escalate tension or create misunderstanding.” Armed men earlier seized the Crimean regional government headquarters and parliament and raised the Russian flag. Crimea - where ethnic Russians are in a majority - was transferred from Russia to Ukraine in 1954 and is home to Russia´s Black Sea Naval fleet. On Wednesday Russia put 150,000 combat troops on high alert and announced military manoeuvres near its border with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine´s parliament has just approved the formation of a new, national coalition government, headed by the former economy minister Arseny Yatseniuk. He says unity is paramount: "Ukraine will be united. We will do our utmost in order to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of my country.”

Russian safety assurances for Yanukovich

In another development, Russia has agreed to ensure the personal safety of Viktor Yanukovich, who fled Ukraine last week. In a statement quoted by Russian media, Yanukovich said he was still the legitimate president of Ukraine. The statement could not be independently verified and it´s not clear where Yanukovich is.

Christian Wulff cleared of corruption

A German court has cleared Christian Wulff of corruption charges for accepting about 700 euros in expenses at the Munich beer festival when he was state premier of Lower Saxony, ending the country's first post-war trial of a former president. Once tipped as a future chancellor, Wulff served just 20 months as president before resigning in disgrace in 2012.

Angela Merkel visits Britain

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel is visiting Britain today. She´ll have an audience with the queen, and address both houses of Parliament, as well as meeting Prime Minister David Cameron and other party leaders. Germany has reacted coolly to Britain's push to reverse the process of European political integration.

Costa Concordia captain returns to wreck

The captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, Francesco Schettino, returns to the wreck today - his first time back on board since it hit a reef near the Italian island of Giglio in January 2012 and capsized, killing 32 people. The visit is part of his trial on charges of manslaughter and abandoning ship.

The weather

Mostly sunny and mild, with top temperatures from 5 to 14.

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