News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Merkel calls for new Greek bailout

The Austrian parliament in Vienna and the German Bundestag in Berlin today are both voting on opening talks for a new three-year bailout package for Greece worth 85 billion euros. Chancellor Angela Merkel supports a new bailout, saying it is in the best interests of Greece, Germany and a united Europe. Finland’s Jyrki Katainen is the European commissioner for jobs and investment. He says Europe must stand by the Greek people even as painful reforms are implemented: “The Greek people have suffered a lot even though it is very important the government and the parliament reform everything that is needed to reform in order to get economic growth back on track, we have to be ready to help the Greek people.”

Ceremonies mark airliner crash in Ukraine

A ceremony was held today in eastern Ukraine close to where a Malaysian airliner was shot down one year ago today, killing all 298 people on board. Earlier, a memorial was unveiled in Canberra for the 38 Australians on board by Prime Minister Tony Abbott: “The names of the Australians killed are etched on this plaque, just as they are etched on our hearts.” A memorial service will also be held today in the Netherlands for the 196 Dutch victims. The doomed flight had been on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the downing of the plane.

Yemeni fighters liberate Aden

Yemen’s government-in-exile says the southern port city of Aden has been liberated by Yemeni fighters backed by Saudi Arabia. Houthi rebels supported by Iran captured Aden five months ago, forcing the government to flee to Saudi Arabia.

Afghan leader praises peace talks with Taliban

Afghanistan’s president, Asharf Ghani, has issued a statement to the nation to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid. He said that talks with the Taliban are a top priority for his government and the only way to end years of violence in the country. He also thanked the Taliban leadership for supporting peace talks which opened earlier this month in Pakistan.

Hungary begins building fence on border to Serbia

Hungary’s government says it plans to make illegal entry into the country a criminal act. This comes as construction has started on a 175-kilometer long, 4-metre-high fence along Hungary’s border with Serbia. 80,000 migrants have entered Hungary from Serbia this year, most of whom were trying to reach countries in western Europe.

Five killed in US shooting spree

In the US state of Tennessee, police and the FBI are investigating if a gunman who went on a shooting spree yesterday at navy buildings in the city of Chattanooga had ties with Islamic State. Four Marines were killed and three people were wounded. The gunman was a 24-year old immigrant from Kuwait who was shot dead by police.

Mass killer faces death penalty

A court in the US state of Colorado has convicted a man who killed 12 people and wounded 70 others during a shooting spree at a cinema near Denver two years ago. A sentence will be announced later. James Holmes faces either life in prison or the death penalty.

The weather

This afternoon’s weather will remain very warm and sunny. Heavy thunderstorms can be expected in the mountains and in the south. Highs today are ranging from 29 to 37 degrees.

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