News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Obama enforces immigration reform

The US president Barack Obama has forced through immigration reform plans using executive powers, which enable him to bypass Congress. In a prime-time televised address, Obama said millions of immigrants living illegally in the US would be allowed to apply for work permits under a major shake-up: "These people - our neighbours, our classmates, our friends - they did not come here in search of a free ride or an easy life. They came to work and study and serve in our military and above all contribute to America´s success." Republicans have accused the president of quote an "illegal power-grab."

Iran talks enter crucial phase

The American Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with his British and French counterparts in Vienna today to discuss the way forward over Iran´s disputed nuclear programme. The meeting follows discussions Thursday in the Austrian capital between Kerry, the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the former EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. A self-imposed deadline of November 24 has been set for a comprehensive deal.

Mass protests over missing Mexican students

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Mexico City as part of another day of nationwide protests over the disappearance of 43 students. The students, all trainee teachers, went missing after attending a protest in Iguala, in Guerrero State. Many remain unconvinced by the official explanation that they were murdered by a drugs gang.

Ukraine marks revolution anniversary

People in Ukraine are marking the first anniversary of the protests that led to the overthrow of the pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych in favour of closer ties with Europe. The US vice president Joe Biden is joining Ukraine´s President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev for the commemorations. Poroshenko was shouted down by the relatives of 100 protesters killed in the revolution.

UKIP wins second Westminster seat

The eurosceptic, anti-immigration UK Independence Party, UKIP, has won its second seat in parliament in Westminster, piling the pressure on Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron six months from the May general election. Mark Reckless, the second Conservative to defect and win a seat for UKIP, took 42 percent of the vote in a special election in the Rochester & Strood constituency in southeast England.

Israel foils “Hamas plot”

Israel's domestic intelligence service Shin Bet says four Palestinians have been arrested on suspicion of planning to kill Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. It´s alleged Hamas had plotted to attack Lieberman with an anti-tank rocket while he drove to his Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.

The weather

A mix of sunshine and cloud or fog. Top temperatures today from 3 to 12.

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