News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

US-led coalition meets on Islamic State

President Barack Obama meets around twenty defence chiefs of European nations and the Middle East in Washington today to discuss how to stop the advance of Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. It is the first such meeting since the US formed an international coalition against IS last month. Meanwhile Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State militants in Kobane in northern Syria say they have recaptured a strategically important hilltop after a series of air strikes by the international coalition.

Turkey attacks PKK positions

The Turkish military has attacked positions held by PKK Kurdish rebels near the border to Iraq, the first significant attacks against the PKK since the launch of a peace process two years ago. The airstrikes follow PKK attacks on a military post. There has been growing anger among Turkey’s Kurdish population over government inaction while Syria’s Kurds battle Islamic State fighters over the border.

UN worker dies of Ebola

A United Nations medical worker being treated for Ebola in a hospital in Leipzig in Germany has died. The man became infected with Ebola in Liberia. The virus has now killed more than 4000 people, mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and infections continue to rise. UN special envoy on Ebola, David Nabarro: “The outbreak seems to be doubling in terms of the number of infected people about every four weeks. In some party of West Africa it’s doubling more quickly than others.”

Catalonia to hold unofficial vote

The regional leader of the Spanish region of Catalonia, Artur Mas, has said a vote on independence will go ahead on November 9th, but as an unofficial poll. Mas says his government still intends to push ahead with an official vote at a later date despite opposition from Spain’s central government.

Kim Jong Un reappears in public

North Korea’s official news agency says leader Kim Jong-un has made his first public appearance in six weeks. Photos of Kim using a walking stick were released. There had been speculation that his absence from the public eye indicated that he was seriously ill or had been deposed.

Gay activists hail church report

Gay rights groups have hailed a preliminary report from top Roman Catholic bishops calling for a more positive view of homosexuals. The bishops are taking part in a synod convened by Pope Francis to debate controversial issues for Catholics such as abortion, contraception, homosexuality and divorce.

Bergmann appointed Burgtheatre director

The interim director of the Burgtheatre in Vienna, Karin Bergmann, has been appointed full-term director from August 30th 2016. Bergmann is the first woman to be appointed to lead the Burgtheater.

The weather

Mild and partly sunny with a few scattered showers. Top temperatures 15 to 24 degrees.

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