News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Refugee stand-off in Hungary continues

The stand-off is continuing in Hungary between hundreds of migrants and refugees aboard a train near the town of Bicske and police who want to transport them to a nearby transit camp. The refugees had boarded the train in Budapest yesterday hoping to travel to Germany. Hungarian authorities say they must register in Hungary as required by European Union law. Some of the young men on the train are reported to be refusing food and water. Around 3000 refugees remain at Budapest’s main railway station hoping for trains west.

Hungary debates state of emergency

Reports from southern Hungary say hundreds of migrants have broken out of a transit camp in the south of the country. Hungary’s parliament is debating measures to try to stop more migrants arriving, and whether to declare a state of emergency in the country.

Four Austrian activists detained in Budapest

Austrian authorities have confirmed that four activists from Vienna have been detained in Budapest on suspicion of human smuggling. Hungarian police allege they were planning to take a number of refugees to Austria illegally by car.

Drowned Syrian boys buried in Kobane

Members of the European Commission are visiting the Greek island of Kos to see firsthand the problems created by the massive influx of refugees. The bodies of a three year old Syrian Kurdish refugee, Alan Kurdi, his brother and mother, who died trying to reach Kos have been returned to the Syrian city of Kobane for burial. The child’s death has become an image of the refugees’ plight around the world.

Britain to accept more refugees

EU foreign ministers meet in Luxembourg to discuss the crisis today, while the leaders of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, meet in Prague to debate their approach. British Prime Minister David Cameron, in a change of stance has said Britain will take in thousands more refugees from Syria: “We will continue with our approach of taking them from the refugee camps. This provides them with a more direct and safe route to the United Kingdom rather than risking the hazardous journey that has tragically cost so many of their lives.”

Guterres appeals to EU for refugee places

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres has called on the EU to accept up to 200,000 refugees fleeing war in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also said war refugees should be given better means to enter Europe legally.

IS blows up ancient Palmyra towers

Syria's antiquities chief says Islamic State militants have blown up three ancient tower tombs in the Roman-era site of Palmyra. The militants recently destroyed the site’s most important temple.

Guatemala’s Perez jailed

In Guatemala former president Otto Perez Molina has been placed in investigative detention while a judge considers corruption charges against him. Perez resigned yesterday. He denies any wrongdoing. Guatemala holds presidential and congressional elections on Sunday.

The weather

Changeable with sunny spells, scattered showers especially in the south west. Top temperatures 16 to 25 degrees.

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