News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

European leaders meet on the migration crisis

European Union leaders meet in Brussels later today to discuss the migration crisis. The focus is on Turkey, which is currently home to almost 2 million Syrians and is a key transit point for migrants coming to Europe. Speaking ahead of the summit, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkey has a key role in solving what she called an historic challenge and that the EU should do more to help Ankara deal with the influx of refugees.
In return, Turkey is expected to press for visa free travel to the Schengen zone and progress on EU membership negotiations.

Cameron in talks on EU reforms

The British Prime Minister David Cameron will meet the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels today to discuss his demands for EU reform ahead of a planned referendum on the UK´s membership of the bloc. Juncker has suggested that the negotiations are proceeding more slowly than hoped: "Our negotiation teams are in contact for weeks now. I can´t say that huge progress has been achieved. I can´t say that nothing has been achieved. But to tango it takes two."

Germany orders recall of VW vehicles

Germany´s Federal Motor Transport Authority has ordered the mandatory recall of Volkswagen diesel vehicles sold with software to deceive regulators about the true level of their toxic emissions. Around 11 million vehicles worldwide, more than two million of them in Germany, have the software. The Austrian Transport Minister Alois Stöger has also ordered the recall of hundreds of thousands of VWs.

John Kerry in new Middle East mission

The US Secretary of State John Kerry is to head to the Middle East, amid a new wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Kerry is expected to meet separately with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Jordanian capital, Amman. Eight Israelis have died in a series of knife and gun attacks, while 31 Palestinians have been killed -14 of them identified by Israel as attackers.

Ceasefire deal signed in Myanmar

Myanmar´s government has signed what it says is a nationwide ceasefire deal with eight armed ethnic groups in what it hopes will be the first step to a lasting political settlement to end more than six decades of fighting. The signing ceremony in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, followed two years of peace talks. But the deal does not include the seven most active rebel groups, who are seeking autonomy.

Jordanian Prince eyes FIFA Presidency

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has formally submitted his candidature to replace Sepp Blatter as president of world football´s governing body, FIFA. The election to replace Blatter is currently scheduled for February but FIFA is considering a delay, as the investigation into allegations of corruption continues.

The weather

Widespread rain which will be especially heavy in the south and east. Top temperatures from 5 to 13.

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