News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Democracy protests continue in Hong Kong

As massive pro-democracy protests continue on the streets of Hong Kong, the territory’s Chief Executive, C.Y. Leung, has urged the public to support political reforms set out by the government in mainland China. The demonstrators oppose Beijing’s plans to vet candidates in the 2017 election to replace Leung. The chair of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party, Emily Lau, is one of the most prominent politicians taking part in the protests.:“Genuine universal suffrage means that you have an electoral system which does not contain any unreasonable limitations. And if Beijing doesn’t want to hear that, that’s not my problem.”

Shell kills four in eastern Ukrainian school

Officials in eastern Ukraine say a shell has killed four people at a school in the rebel-held city of Donetsk. They say no children were hurt. A shell hit a playground and a teacher and a parent are among the dead.

First Ebola case diagnosed in U.S.

The first-ever case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States has been confirmed in Texas. Officials at a hospital in Dallas say the unidentified patient is being kept in isolation. They believe the man contracted Ebola in Liberia before travelling to the US nearly two ago. The Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tom Frieden, has tried to reassure the American public.:“It is certainly possible that someone who had contact with this individual could develop Ebola in the coming weeks. But there is no doubt in my mind that we will stop it here.”

Dramatic UN warning over Syria

The United Nations is warning that food supplies are running out in Syria. The UN's head of humanitarian affairs, Valerie Amos, says an extra one billion dollars pledged by member states last week won’t be enough to properly care for the millions of Syrians affected by the crisis.: “Without additional funds, the World Food Programme will be forced to end its operations completely within two months. Winter is fast approaching and vital supplies are needed to protect people from the cold.”

France misses EU deficit target

The French government says it will miss its original target of reducing its budget deficit to below the EU threshold of 3% of GDP by next year… and has set a new date of 2017. The French Finance Minister, Michel Sapin, hopes to boost growth by reducing taxes and imposing big cuts on public spending.

Norway best country for old people

Norway has been named as the best country in the world to grow old. It came top in an annual survey compiled by The Global Age Watch Index, which looked at the quality of life for people aged over 60 in 96 countries. Austria was ranked in 14th place. Afghanistan came in last.

The weather

Heavy cloud and rain in most of Austria. The south and south-east will see the most of any sunny spells. Highs are ranging from 12C to 20C.

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