News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Over 70 bodies found in truck in eastern Austria

Austrian police have confirmed that 71 bodies were discovered in an abandoned truck found yesterday on the A4 motorway near Parndorf in Burgenland, including the remains of four children. The identities of the dead have not been established but investigators say a travel document found in the truck suggests that they are Syrian refugees. Autopsies are expected to take several days with suffocation the likely cause of death. Three people meanwhile have been arrested in connection with the case in neighbouring Hungary. Helmut Marban is a spokesman for the Burgenland police. “We arrested three people in Hungary. One of them seems to be the car holder. He is of Bulgarian-Lebanese nationality. The other two suspects which are arrested are of Bulgarian nationality and the other one has a Hungarian identity card.”

Dozens feared drowned off the coast of Libya

Up to 200 people are feared drowned, following the sinking of two boats packed with migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya. Officials say around 500 people were travelling on board the vessels and many appear to have been trapped in the hold when the boats capsized.

US marks 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

People in the US city of New Orleans have been marking the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The storm caused widespread devastation, leaving at least 2000 people dead and around a million displaced. In a commemorative speech President Barak Obama praised the resilience of New Orleans residents saying they were building a better future. He also said important lessons had been learnt from the disaster. “The US Army Corps of Engineers developed stricter standards, more advanced techniques for levees. Here in Louisiana we built a 14 billion dollar system of improved levees and pump stations and gates, a system that stood the test of Hurricane Isaac.”

Dispute between Colombia and Venezuela

Colombia and Venezuela have recalled their ambassadors amid mounting tensions between the two neighbouring states, following an attack on three Venezuelan soldiers last week by smugglers. Since then more than a thousand Colombians have been deported from Venezuela, while around 6000 are thought to have left the country voluntarily.

Malaysia blocks website on eve of mass rally

The authorities in Malaysia have blocked the website of a civil society group, which has called for mass anti-government rallies this weekend. The group Bersih is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak, amid allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement.

Greek PM names her caretaker cabinet

Greece's caretaker Prime Minister Vasiliki Thanou has named the members of her interim cabinet, ahead of early elections next month. The 65 year old judge, who is Greece's first female Prime Minister, takes over from Alexis Tsipras, who resigned last week.

The weather

Mostly sunny conditions have been forecast across Austria this afternoon. Top temperatures will range from 26 to 34 degrees.

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