News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Ebola vaccine trial ´promising`

Researchers in the United States say the first human trial of an experimental Ebola vaccine suggests that it is safe and may help the immune system to combat the virus. The US National Institutes of Health has described the results as "promising." Sir Andrew Witty is the Chief Executive of drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline: "I think it´s a very encouraging first signal. You know, whether it´s a breakthrough depends on making sure that all the rest of the data over the next few weeks and months is in line. But this certainly gives us very significant cause for optimism." Over 5,600 people have died in the latest Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

UK embassy car targeted in Kabul

A British embassy vehicle has been attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Officials say six people were killed, including one British national. Over 30 people - including embassy staff - were injured. The Taliban has claimed responsibility.

Ukraine´s new parliament meets

Ukraine´s new parliament is meeting for the first time since last month´s election. A preliminary governing coalition was formed last week, which aims to guide Ukraine towards integration with the EU and possible NATO membership. Meanwhile, three observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have reportedly come under fire at a Ukrainian army control post near Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. No one was injured in the incident.

Junker survives no confidence vote

Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg have voted overwhelmingly against a motion of no confidence in the European Commission. The motion was brought by 76 MEPs, including the UK Independence Party and the Front National in France. They´d claimed the new Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker was unfit to hold office because of aggressive tax avoidance schemes in Luxembourg while he was Prime Minister.

EU ministers meet on migration crisis

European foreign ministers are meeting in Rome for talks on the migration crisis. It´s estimated that at least 165, 000 migrants have arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean this year.

OPEC considers a cut in oil production

Oil ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries are meeting today in the Austrian capital, Vienna, to discuss whether to cut oil production in a bid to drive up prices.
OPEC has faced a 30 per cent fall in prices since June, following increased shale oil production in the United States and weaker economic performance in Europe, China and Japan.

The weather

Widespread mist or fog. Some sunshine in the mountains. Top temperatures generally from minus 2 to plus 7, up to 13 where there´s Föhn.

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