News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Saudi stampede kills more than 700

The health minister of Saudi Arabia, Khalid al-Falih, has spoken out about yesterday’s stampede at Mecca in which more than 700 people were killed. He says pilgrims may have failed to follow directions from the authorities trying to coordinate the flow of people at the annual haj pilgrimage. More than 860 others were injured in the crush. But one tour operator, Mohamad Jafahdi, says Saudi officials closed two road which should have been left open:“The main reason for this accident was that the king and his palace was receiving dignitaries and for this reason they closed two of the entrances and they closed the two roads and these were the two roads where people were not able to proceed.”

Russian rebels order UN, NGOs out of Luhansk

Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have ordered United Nations agencies to leave the Luhansk region, which is controlled by the separatists. Some other non-governmental organisations have also been ordered to leave Luhansk, including Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Orban and Faymann hold talks in Vienna

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been holding talks today in Vienna with Chancellor Werner Faymann and Vice Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner. Tensions have been running high between the two counrties over Austrian criticism of Hungary’sa treatment of refugees, including its decision to build a fence on its borders with Croatia and Serbia. Meanwhile, the influc of refugees into Austria continues with 6000 people have crossed over the border at Nickelsdorf since midnight. The UN says the current flow of around 8000 new migrants a day is likely to continue.

Hahn visits refugee camp in Serbia

Meanwhile, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Border issues, Johannes Hahn, has visited a migrant camp in Serbia with the country’s prime minister, Alexander Vucic. Hahn has praised Serbia’s handling of the refugee crisis, which has also strained ties between Croatia and Serbia.

Turkish army kills 34 rebels

In Turkey, the army has killed 34 members of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. It is the latest violence to follow the breakdown in a ceasefire between Ankara and the PKK in July.

New VW CEO to be named

The German carmaker Volkswagen will announce a new chief executive today as the fallout continues over rigged diesel emissions tests. The current boss of Porsche, Matthias Müller, is widely expected to be named to replace Martin Winterkorn who resigned earlier this week.

Pope visits UN headquarters

Pope Francis is in New York City, the latest stop of his tour of the United States. Later he will address the United Nations General Assembly and is expected to call on world leaders to do more to combat climate change.

Japan minister resigns

Japan’s education and sports minister Hakubun Shimo-mura has resigned amid a scandal amid a scandal over the construction of a stadium for the Olymoic Games in Tokyo in 2020.

The weather

The weather this afternoon will see partly sunny conditions in the west, while the east and southeast will remain mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers. Highs today are ranging from 12 to 20 degrees.

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