News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Austria to restore border restrictions „gradually“

The Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann says he expects border restrictions to be gradually restored after allowing thousands of people passage into the country from Hungary. He said it had been important to act quickly and humanely in an emergency situation. Some 20,000 people passed through Austria on their way to Germany over the weekend. Faymann said that Austria would move step by step "towards normality", after speaking to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has taken a hard line on the issue. Meanwhile, the German government has agreed to spend 6bn euros to help deal with the influx.

President Heinz Fischer visits Iran

The Austrian President Heinz Fischer begins a three-day visit to Iran today. He´ll be the first EU Head of State to visit the country since 2004. Fischer will lead a high-level delegation including government ministers and representatives from business, culture, science and the media. Middle East expert Michael Lüders: "In the past Iran had developed into a no-go state for many years. But now, after the signing of the nuclear agreement between western powers and Iran, both sides appear to be very eager to normalise relations, especially in the economic sphere."

France to start reconnaissance flights over Syria

President Francois Hollande has announced that France will send reconnaissance planes over Syria beginning on Tuesday, to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. But he´s ruled out ground operations.

Farmers protest at EU headquarters

Thousands of farmers from across the European Union have converged on EU headquarters in Brussels, arriving on hundreds of tractors. They are protesting against high taxes and falling prices. EU agriculture ministers are meeting in an extraordinary session to assess the crisis.

German pilots to strike on Tuesday

The German pilots' union Cockpit has called an all-day strike for Tuesday, increasing pressure on management in a long-running dispute over pay, retirement benefits and cost cuts. The strike will affect all Lufthansa long-haul passenger flights and all cargo flights out of Germany.

Presidential election in Guatemala

Early results from Guatemala's presidential election put TV comedian Jimmy Morales in the lead. Morales, who´d campaigned against corruption, has about 25% of the vote so far, with centre-right businessman Manuel Baldizon on 21%. If no candidate wins more than half the votes, a second round will be held. Voting took place days after the resignation and arrest of President Otto Perez Molina over corruption allegations.

The weather

Some sunshine in the west and south, but the chance of rain in the north. Highs today from 10 to 21, warmest in the south.

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