News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Peace roadmap for Ukraine

The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany say they've brokered a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, after 17 hours of negotiations in the Belarussian capital Minsk. The deal, which has reportedly been signed by pro- Russian separatists, calls for the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the release of prisoners and a halt to hostilities beginning at midnight on Saturday. The French President Francois Hollande says it´s a relief for Europe: "We have reached agreement on a ceasefire and on a global political resolution to the Ukrainian conflict. The (German) Chancellor and I, alongside President Poroshenko and Putin, are committed to verify the implementation of the ceasefire."

Kiev in new IMF bailout deal

The International Monetary Fund has announced a draft accord with Ukraine on a $40 billion funding package over the next four years. The country is on the brink of bankruptcy after more than a year of political upheaval and conflict.

Tsipras to attend 1st EU leaders meeting

European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels today with Ukraine, anti-terror measures and the Greek government debt topping the agenda. It's the first time Greece's new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will attend the monthly meeting of the European Council. Earlier officials from Greece and the euro zone failed to reach an agreement on the Greek bailout after seven hours of talks in Brussels. But both sides said there was still hope for a deal, with further talks scheduled on Monday.

Costa Concordia captain guilty of manslaughter

The captain of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia, Francesco Schettino, has been found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Thirty-two people died when the ship hit rocks and sank off Tuscany in 2012. His lawyers say he will appeal.

Al-Jazeera journalists freed on bail

A court in Cairo has ordered that the Al-Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed be released on bail. But the case against them has not been dismissed and their retrial will resume on February 23. They were detained in Egypt over a year ago, along with their Australian colleague Peter Greste who has since been freed, for spreading false news to help a terrorist organisation, the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Obama seeks Congressional support to tackle IS

President Barack Obama has asked Congress to formally authorise military force against the Islamic State group. He warned against dragging the US into another prolonged ground war and called on lawmakers to show a united front. It's the first time a US president has sought Congressional approval to use military force since George W Bush in 2002, ahead of the invasion of Iraq.

US House backs controversial pipeline

The US House of Representatives has given its final approval to a bill backing the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline. The White House has said President Obama will veto the bill, which has already been passed by The Senate.

The weather

Sunshine in the mountains with sunny periods in the east, some persistent mist or fog in lower-lying areas. Top temperatures from minus 1 to plus 11.

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