News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Cautious optimism about Greek debt deal

Eurozone leaders have cautiously welcomed new reform proposals put forward by Greece, raising hopes that a deal can be reached within days to release much needed bailout funds. Details of the reform plan have not been released but they are believed to include sales tax increases and new taxes on businesses and the wealthy. Greece is due to make a 1.6 billion euro debt repayment at the end of the month and without a deal, there are fears it may default and possibly be forced to leave the euro. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde says much work still needs to be done. “It is still short of everything that should be expected so there will be room for negotiation, room for work, and hopefully we will be constructive in a very short period of time. So we are short on time, long on work.”

Wanted Islamic State militant killed in Iraq

The US defence ministry says a leading Islamic State figure has been killed in an airstrike in Iraq. Ali Awni al-Harzi is suspected of involvement in the attack on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi in 2012 that left 4 people dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Kurds make military gains in Northern Syria

Kurdish fighters in Northern Syria say they have captured a key military base from Islamic State, near the militant group's self-proclaimed capital Raqqa. Last week Kurdish forces seized control of a border post between Syria and Turkey. Analysts say the losses are a setback for IS, cutting off a major supply route.

Rwanda condemns arrest of Intelligence Chief

Rwanda's Intelligence Chief has been arrested in London at the request of the Spanish authorities. General Karenzi Karake is accused of ordering massacres in the wake of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including the deaths of three Spanish aid workers. Rwanda's Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has condemned the arrest, describing it as an outrage. Africa expert Phil Clark says the evidence against Karake is extremely flimsy. “There’s a sloppiness I think in much of the investigation that underpins this, and even very critical human rights groups, who have tended not to be very friendly to Rwanda in the past, have raised questions about the quality of the Spanish arrest warrant.”

Pakistan orders emergency heatwave measures

Pakistan's government has ordered emergency measures to be taken in the south of the country, where over 450 people have been killed in a heatwave. Most of the deaths have been reported in the city of Karachi, which has experienced temperatures of up to 45 degrees in recent days.

UN report highlights child poverty deaths

The UN children's agency UNICEF has warned that 70 million children will die unnecessarily over the next 15 years if urgent action isn't taken to fight global poverty. In a new report UNICEF says despite significant achievements as part of the UN's Millennium Development Goals, 600 million children still live in extreme poverty.

The Weather

Rain has been forecast for the south of Austria, with changeable conditions elsewhere. Top temperatures will range from 10 to 20 degrees.

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