News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

EU ministers discuss Mediterranean migrants

EU foreign and interior ministers are holding talks today in Luxembourg on the growing migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. Hundreds of migrants are believed to have drowned over the weekend, after their boat capsized off the coast of Libya. The EU has been criticised for cutting back on patrols in the Mediterranean last year with the introduction of the Triton border protection program. The UNHCR's European Director Vincent Cochetel says many recent migrant deaths could have been avoided. “European states had four months to think about what worked last year and what did not work last year. When you have a typhoon or tsunami in places like in Asia, you know, we send a team of rescuers from all around the world to try to save people. Why, because every life matters. Why should it be different for crossing the Mediterranean?”

Opposition wins Finland elections

The opposition Centrist party has won parliamentary elections held in Finland over the weekend. Final results show the Centrists with 21 percent of the vote, just ahead of the incumbent conservative National Coalition and the right wing Finns Party. The election was dominated by economic issues. Analysts say Centrist leader Juha Sipila faces a difficult task in forming a coalition government.

Greek far right leaders go on trial in Athens

Members of the far right Greek political party Golden Dawn have gone on trial at a high security court in Athens. Party leader Nikos Michaloliakos is one of 69 defendants accused of carrying out a campaign of violence against immigrants and left wing activists. Journalist Chritos Michaelides says Golden Dawn, which is the third largest party in the Greek parliament, could be outlawed. “Certainly the trial will define the future of this political party, if they are convicted of participating in an organisation, which is going to be called a criminal organisation.”

Somalia bomb blast targets UN workers

Officials in Somalia say at least 10 people have been killed in a bomb attack on a vehicle carrying UN employees in the northern Puntland region. The Somali militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack in the town of Garowe.

Ethiopia investigates video of new IS killing

Ethiopia says it's trying to verify an online video, purporting to show the killing of 30 Ethiopian Christians by Islamic State militants in Libya. Speaking in Egypt, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said he was concerned by the rise in attacks against Christians in the region. “In many places there is a clear agenda of forcing Christians into a choice of renouncing their faith, of accepting second class status or of death or of leaving.”

China and Pakistan in major infrastructure deal

China's President Xi Jinping has begun a two day visit to Pakistan. He is expected to announce a 45 billion dollar investment program to build a network of roads, railways and pipelines between the two countries.

The weather

Mostly sunny conditions are expected to continue this afternoon, with some cloud and strong wings forecast for the east. Top temperatures will range from 11 to 20 degrees.

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