News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Pope Francis visits Turkey

Pope Francis is visiting Turkey today for a trip aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue. The 3-day visit will include talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and the head of the Orthodox Christian church in Istanbul. He's also scheduled to visit Istanbul's Sultan Ahmed mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque.

UK outlines migrant benefit curbs

The British Prime Minister David Cameron has been unveiling plans which are aimed at reducing migration from the EU. He says immigrants will have to leave Britain if they don't get a job within six months and must work for four years before receiving certain benefits: "immigration benefits Britain. But it needs to be controlled, it needs to be fair and it needs to be centred around our national interest. That is what I want."

Mexican police force to be overhauled

The Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has announced plans to overhaul the country's municipal police forces following the disappearance of 43 students in September. He says he plans to put all local police units under federal control. The disappearance of the trainee teachers in Iguala in the state of Guerrero sparked mass protests. Nieto made the announcement in a televised speech: "Iguala's tragedy combined with unacceptable conditions of institutional weaknesses we cannot ignore. A criminal group controlled the territory of various municipalities. Municipal authorities were part of the very structure of the criminal organisation. Municipal police were in reality criminals."

Hollande visits Guinea

The French President Francois Hollande is due to visit Guinea where more than 1,200 people have died of Ebola. He's expected to deliver a "message of solidarity". France has promised 100 million Euros to help tackle the disease by opening several care centres in the country.

Austria arrests 13 jihadi suspects

Austrian police are reported to have carried out raids against suspected jihadists in Vienna, Linz and Graz. A number of flats and mosques have been searched and 13 people arrested. They were allegedly involved in the recruitment of young people to fight in Syria. Around 500 officers were involved in the operation.

Major storm hits Brisbane

A major clean-up operation is under way in the Australian city of Brisbane after a severe storm which produced hailstones the size of golf balls and caused widespread damage. Winds of around 140 kilometres per hour brought down trees and power lines. Transport officials say it was one of the worst storms in decades.

The weather

There’ll be widespread fog with occasional sunshine in the mountains and a lively wind. Highs will be ranging between minus 2 and plus 6 degrees, where the sun's out and there's a föhn wind around 10, and in the West up to 15.

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