News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

John Kerry in Vienna for Syria conference

The US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Vienna and will hold talks this evening with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, ahead of an international conference on the Syrian conflict. Iran will be joining the talks for the first time. Turkey and Saudi Arabia will also be among those taking part on Friday. John Kerry has described efforts to end the war in Syria as nothing less than charting a course out of hell: "While finding a way forward on Syria will not be easy, it´s not going to be automatic, it is the most promising opportunity for a political opening where recognising what is happening, that Syria is being destroyed."

China ends one-child policy

China´s official Xinhua News Agency is reporting that the ruling Communist Party has decided to abolish the country's controversial one-child policy and allow all couples to have two children. China has been moving towards easing the restrictions introduced in 1980 in response to the falling birth rate and declining workforce.

Marine Le Pen in voting row

The leader of the French Front National Marine Le Pen has been accused of violating European Parliament rules by getting an MEP to vote on her behalf. It´s alleged that her voting card was used eight times after she left parliament early on Wednesday. An investigation has been launched.

Debate over Austrian border “fence” continues

The Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann has insisted there will be no border fence to Slovenia, speaking instead of "technical security" measures at the main crossing used by refugees and migrants entering the country from Slovenia. The Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner has proposed plans for a fence to ensure an orderly crossing at Spielfeld in Styria, but Faymann and other senior politicians are avoiding the word. Austria was among the most vocal critics of Hungary's decision to build a fence along its border to Serbia.

Migrant boat sinks off Lesbos

The search is continuing for over 40 people missing off the Greek island of Lesbos, after their boat sank in stormy weather. Eight bodies have so far been recovered, but the death toll is expected to rise. Over 240 others were rescued.

Saudi blogger awarded EU´s Sakharov Prize

The Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for insulting Muslim clerics, has won the European Union's prestigious Sakharov Prize for human rights. EU lawmakers say Badawi was honoured with the award as a symbol of the fight for freedom of speech.

The weather

Mostly overcast with the chance of rain in the west and south east, but also some sunshine along the north of the Alps. Top temperatures from 8 to 14.

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