News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

EU signs historic pact with ex-Soviet states

The Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed an historic trade and economic pact with the European Union at a summit in Brussels. The EU also signed similar association agreements with two other former Soviet republics, Moldova and Georgia, despite strong opposition from Russia. President Poroshenko's predecessor had refused to sign the deal, sparking the current crisis in Ukraine. Poroshenko said today´s signing showed how dramatically things could change in a short time: "What a great day - maybe the most important day for my country after independence day, a moment that is both historical and future oriented." Russia has threatened what it called "grave consequences."

OSCE monitors released eastern Ukraine

Pro-Russian separatists in south eastern Ukraine have released four observers from the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in an apparent goodwill gesture. Another four remain in captivity. A ceasefire in the east of Ukraine is due to end on Friday night.

EU leaders to vote on Juncker

EU leaders meeting in Brussels today are expected to confirm Luxembourg´s former Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker as the next president of the European Commission. The move has been strongly opposed by Britain and Hungary.

Obama seeks $500 million for Syria rebels

President Barack Obama has asked the US Congress to approve $500m to train and equip what he described as "moderate" opposition forces in Syria. It would be a significant escalation of US involvement in the Syrian conflict. It would also counter Islamist militants like the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant or ISIS, whose advance in neighbouring Iraq has led some in Congress to press Obama to take action.

Sudanese apostasy woman freed again

A Sudanese woman whose death sentence for renouncing Islam was overturned has been released from jail again, after she was detained at Khartoum airport on Tuesday. Meriam Ibrahim is reportedly in the US embassy in Khartoum with her family. She had been detained on charges of falsifying identity documents.

16 die in gas pipeline blast in India

Indian officials say at least 16 people have been killed in a gas pipeline explosion in Andhra Pradesh state. Some 20 others were wounded. Nearby villages had to be evacuated. The fire has again raised safety concerns over the country's energy projects.

The weather

Mostly sunny and warm, but showers or thunder storms in the southwest. Highs today from 19 to 28.

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