News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Greek MPs approve bailout deal

The Greek parliament has approved a third bailout deal in a vote that relied on opposition party support and saw the government coalition suffer significant dissent. The marathon all-night session was marked by procedural delays and acrimonious debate over the three-year, 85 billion euro rescue package. The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will reportedly seek a confidence vote after August 20 when a three billion euro debt repayment to the European Central Bank falls due. Eurozone finance ministers are expected to back the bailout deal when they meet in Brussels later today. But German lawmakers and several other European parliaments still have to give their approval. Ryan Heath is with the news organisation Politico: "We always thought we were going to be across this line in June, then July and now it´s August. So I think people are really waiting to see the cash in the bank account and the signatures on the sheet of paper."

Amnesty Int. criticises conditions at Traiskirchen

The Austrian branch of Amnesty International has released a damning report into conditions at the reception centre for asylum seekers in Traiskirchen, which is suffering from severe overcrowding. It cites cases of inhuman treatment, especially when it comes to minors who are said to be left to fend for themselves, as well as structural failures which it says could be easily rectified. The group, which was given permission to visit the site in Lower Austria last week, says many aspects of the Convention on Human Rights are being contravened.

Fires still burn at China blast site

Fires are still burning at the site of two massive explosions in the Chinese port city of Tianjin, two days after the blasts. A team of more than 200 chemical and biological weapons experts has been sent to the scene to test for toxic gases. Fifty-five people died and over 700 were injured. Many port employees and a number of firefighters are still unaccounted for.

Turkey heading for new elections

Two months after Turkey's ruling AK Party lost its majority in national elections, it has failed to agree coalition terms, pushing the country towards a new vote. Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said talks with the secular CHP had ended “negatively" and he wanted new elections as soon as possible.

John Kerry in historic trip to Cuba

The US secretary of state John Kerry travels to Cuba today to raise the US flag at the recently restored American embassy in Havana. It is another symbolic step in the thawing of relations.

The weather

Plenty of sunshine, but showers or thunderstorms in the west. Highs generally from 30 to 38.

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