News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Pressure grows for Middle East truce

The EU has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. In spite of growing pressure for a truce, Israeli air strikes on Gaza and rocket attacks on Israel have continued. Israel says it shot down a drone operated by Hamas, the first time it's encountered an unmanned aircraft since the campaign against Gaza militants began a week ago. Alun McDonald is a spokesman for the relief agency Oxfam: "what we're seeing in Gaza is really getting worse each day at the moment. We're seeing ongoing air strikes, ongoing conflict that is having quite a devastating impact on civilians."

Iran talks continue in Vienna

The US Secretary of State John Kerry is continuing talks with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif over Iran's controversial nuclear programme. The latest round of negotiations has been taking place in Vienna. They’re aimed at reaching a deal on uranium enrichment and other issues by July 20th.

Malala calls for Nigeria girls’ release

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani rights activist who survived being shot in the head by the Taliban, has appealed for the release of 200 girls who were kidnapped in Nigeria. On a visit to Abuja over the week-end, she expressed her support for the parents of the missing girls and their campaign to get their daughters back: "we express our solidarity with you. And we are with you, we are standing with you in your campaign to bring back our girls, bring back our daughters. Because I consider those girls as my sisters.”

Elections in Slovenia

In Slovenia, a political newcomer has led his party to victory in parliamentary elections over the week-end. Miro Cerar's centre-left party won nearly 35% of the vote.

Raising of Costa Concordia begins

In what's been described as one of the biggest maritime salvage operations in history, teams in Italy have started the delicate task of re-floating the stricken cruise ship, the Costa Concordia. The plan is to tow the vessel to Genoa, where it will be scrapped. The ship capsized off the Italian coast two and a half years ago. 32 people were killed in the disaster.

Actor Gert Voss dies

Tributes have been coming in for the acclaimed actor Gert Voss who’s died after a short illness in Vienna at the age of 72. Voss made his stage debut at Vienna's Burgtheatre as Richard the Third in 1986. He received many awards, including the Nestroy Prize for best actor in 2000.

Germany celebrates World Cup win

Germany is celebrating after winning the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil, beating Argentina one-nil. Mario Götze scored the winning goal in extra time.

The weather

Much of Austria will be cloudy with some heavy rain showers at times and a few thunderstorms. Most of the sun will be in the region between the Innviertel and northern Burgenland. Highs - depending on where the sun's out - ranging between 18 and 29 degrees.

Übersicht

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