News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Southeast Asia migrant deal agreed

Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to provide temporary shelter to some 7,000 migrants stranded at sea, the first breakthrough in the humanitarian crisis confronting Southeast Asia. The announcement was made by the Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman after emergency talks with his counterparts from Indonesia and Thailand, called to address the plight of the migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh who now face sickness and starvation at sea: "Acknowledging the dire humanitarian circumstances of the crisis, the ministers expressed deep concern on the plight of the irregular migrants, including those currently on the high seas, and in particular the women and children." Meanwhile, Indonesian fisherman today rescued over 400 people who had been stranded at sea for nearly three months after their stricken boat was reportedly turned away numerous times from the Thai and Malaysian coasts.

Viktor Orban defends death penalty call

The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has described European Union proposals for migrant quotas as "bordering on insanity." He was addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where lawmakers challenged his increasingly tough anti-immigration stance. Orban also defended his recent calls for the possible reintroduction of the death penalty.

Suspect arrested in Tunisia museum attack

Italian police say they have arrested a 22-year-old Moroccan man in Milan who is suspected of involvement in the attack on the Bardo museum in Tunis. Twenty-two people died - most of them tourists - when gunmen opened fire in Tunisia´s national museum in March.

Israel halts “segregation” bus project

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intervened to reverse a controversial measure banning Palestinian workers from riding in the same buses as Jewish settlers when returning from Israel to the West Bank. A three-month pilot project aimed at reducing security risks was to have gone into effect today. Rights groups had described the move as shameful and racist.

Ban´s North Korea visit cancelled

North Korea has cancelled a visit by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, one day before he was due to arrive. He said the move was "deeply regrettable" and no explanation had been given.

Burundi elections postponed

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has signed a decree delaying parliamentary and local council elections by one week to June 2 because of the ongoing political crisis and failed coup attempt. The decision followed a recommendation by the country´s election commission, as well as requests from opposition politicians and the international community for a postponement.

The weather

Heavy rain from Vorarlberg to Upper Austria, with snow above 1,000 metres. Rain or thunderstorms in the east and south east. Top temperatures of around 5 in the west, up to 27 in the south east.

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