News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Putin announces plans to annex Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a draft bill to incorporate Crimea into the Russian Federation, following a referendum over the weekend, in which 97 percent of Crimean voters backed calls to secede from Ukraine. The US and EU have declared the vote illegal and imposed sanctions against Moscow. Addressing the Russian parliament a short time ago, Putin said Crimea had always been part of Russia. “Crimea has always been and remains an inalienable part of Russia. This conviction was unshakeable and was transferred from generation to generation.”

China launches search for missing plane

China has begun to search its territory for a missing Malaysia airlines plane, which disappeared with 239 people on board on March 8. Efforts are now focussing on two air corridors to the north and south, following evidence that the aircraft was deliberately diverted. Malaysia's transport minister Hishamuddin Hussein told reporters he was pleased that so many countries were now involved in the search operation. “The entire search area is now 2.24 million square nautical miles. This is an enormous search area and it’s something that Malaysia cannot possibly search on its own.”

State of emergency to be lifted in Bangkok

The Thai government says it’s preparing to lift a state of emergency in Bangkok, imposed in response to mass anti-government protests in the run up to February's parliamentary elections. At least 23 people have died as a result of the protests, but correspondents say they have eased in recent weeks.

German court rules bailout fund legal

Germany's Constitutional Court has confirmed the legality of the eurozone's main bailout fund, saying it does not impinge on the German parliament's right to set budgetary policy. The 700 billion European Stability Mechanism was set up in 2012 to provide financial assistance to struggling eurozone countries.

Astronomers find evidence of big bang

US astronomers say they have found evidence of a super rapid expansion in space, which they believe occurred just after the universe began, around 14 billion years ago. The discovery supports the standard theory about the origins of the universe, known as the big bang. John Kaufmann is part of the team that made the breakthrough, using a telescope at the South Pole. “What we’ve seen is the signal of inflation. This inflationary signal is a very important part of our universe’s history. In fact, it’s the reason why we believe we are even able to be here.”

Immigrants drown off Greek coast

The Greek government says 7 immigrants have drowned after their boat capsized in the Aegean Sea near the island of Lesbos. 8 other occupants of the boat were plucked from the water. Italy meanwhile says two boats carrying almost 600 immigrants have been intercepted near the island of Lampedusa.

The weather

Partly sunny conditions should continue this afternoon, with maximums of between 14 and 23 degrees.

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