News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Greek banks re-open with restrictions

Greek banks have re-opened for the first time in three weeks, as negotiations continue between the EU and Athens on a new bailout deal. Restrictions will remain in place, however, including a withdrawal limit of 420 euros per week and curbs on foreign transfers. Sales tax has also been increased from 13 to 23 percent, as part of reforms demanded by Greece's creditors. German Chancellor Angela Merkel meanwhile says she is prepared to consider further steps to help ease Greece's debt burden, amid concerns that it is unsustainable.

USA and Cuba restore full diplomatic ties

The United States and Cuba have restored diplomatic relations after more than five decades of hostility. At midnight local time the diplomatic missions in Washington and Havana were upgraded to full embassies. Analyst Ted Piccone from the Brookings Institution says the gradual normalisation of relations has been welcomed by many in the US. “Great interest on the part of Americans: businessmen, Congressional members, who are coming down in high numbers to experience for themselves what’s happening in Cuba.” Despite the move, restrictions on travel to Cuba and a US trade embargo of the island remain in place.

Friendly fire kills 8 Afghan soldiers

Officials in Afghanistan say at least 8 Afghan soldiers have been killed in an attack by US military helicopters on an army checkpoint. Local army commander General Abdul Raziq said an Afghan flag had been clearly displayed at the checkpoint in Logar province, just south of the capital Kabul.

Deadly blast at Turkish border town

Reports are coming in of a deadly blast in the southern Turkish town of Suruc, near the border with Syria. Local media say at least 20 people have been killed. The cause of the explosion, which occurred near a cultural centre, remains unclear.

Mitsubishi apologises for WW2 slave labour

The Mitsubishi Corporation has become the first Japanese company to apologise for using US prisoners of war as slave labour during World War Two. Senior Mitsubishi executive Hikaru Kimura made the apology at a ceremony in Los Angeles. Almost 900 US soldiers were forced to work under appalling conditions in mines run by Mitsubishi. Survivor James Murphy attended the ceremony. “I listened very carefully to Mr. Kimura’s statement of apology and found it very, very sincere, humble and revealing.”

FIFA to set presidential election date

The executive committee of football's world governing body FIFA is meeting today in Zurich, to discuss reform proposals and set a timetable for the election of a new president. Current president Sepp Blatter announced in June that he was stepping down, following the arrest of several senior FIFA officials as part of a corruption investigation.

The weather

Conditions should improve this afternoon in the north and east with the chance of more thundery showers in the south and mountainous areas. Top temperatures will range from 24 to 33 degrees.

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