News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

New Greek cabinet to be unveiled

Alexis Tsipras of the leftist Syriza alliance is expected to unveil his cabinet later today, a day after being sworn in as the new Greek prime minister. Syriza´s chief economics spokesman, Euclid Tsakalotos, has warned European Union leaders that they must listen to the anti-austerity message from the election in Greece and to Athens´ demands for a renegotiation of its international bailout package: "It´s going to be a very funny and a very dangerous Europe if they signal that after a democratic vote they´re not interested in talking to a new government. It´ll be a final signal that this is a Europe that can´t incorporate democratic change and it can´t incorporate social change." The German Chancellor Angela Merkel today congratulated Tsipras. Senior EU officials are expected in Athens in the coming days.

The EU considers more Russia sanctions

EU leaders are threatening fresh sanctions against Russia because of what they say is Moscow´s "growing support" for separatists in eastern Ukraine during intensified fighting in recent days. In a rare joint statement outside their regular summits, the 28 leaders asked European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday to consider any appropriate action if the situation does not improve quickly. They expressed concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation and condemned the killing of civilians during the shelling of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol on Saturday.

Survivors mark Auschwitz anniversary

Some 300 Auschwitz survivors have gathered at the site of the former Nazi death camp in Poland to mark the 70th anniversary of its liberation by Russian forces. Over one million people, most of them Jews, were killed at Auschwitz between 1940 and 1945. Heads of state and representatives from many wartime Allies are attending the commemoration, with Austria represented by President Heinz Fischer and Chancellor Werner Fyman.

Gunmen storm popular Tripoli hotel

Libyan security officials say gunmen have stormed a luxury hotel in Tripoli popular with foreigners and have taken hostages after killing at least three guards and setting off a car bomb. Libya has been in turmoil since the ouster and killing of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

Winter storm threatens the US east coast

A state of emergency has been declared in eight states along the US east coast, with forecasters warning residents to expect "crippling" amounts of snow and near hurricane force winds. All non-emergency vehicles have been banned in New York City and Boston. Subway services have also been suspended and nearly 8,000 flights cancelled.

The weather

Snow from Vorarlberg to Lower Austria, rain or snow showers in lower-lying areas, some sunshine in the south. Top temperatures from minus 3 to plus 6.

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