News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Cameron delivers EU reform demands

British prime minister David Cameron has set out his demands for European Union reforms in a speech in London and in a letter to the European Council. The speech is the formal launch of his attempt to redefine Britain’s relation to the EU ahead of a referendum on membership to be held by the end of 2017. Cameron has said Britain wants a legally binding exemption from the EU's commitment to an ever-closer union and that he will campaign to stay in the EU if his government gets the reforms it wants. : “I will campaign to keep Britain inside a reformed European Union. But if we can’t reach such an agreement and Britain’s concerns were to be met with a deaf ear, then we will have to think again about whether this European Union is right for us.” The EU Commission has described some British proposals for EU reform as 'highly problematic'.

EU lambasts Turkey on rights

The European Commission has criticized Turkey for significant failings on human rights and democratic standards, in its annual report on possible Turkish EU membership. The report criticises a crackdown on the media and says the independence of the judiciary has been undermined. It also says there is an urgent need for peace talks to resume with Kurdish rebels.

Portugal’s government under threat

Portugal's left-wing parties are poised to bring down the country's center-right minority government later today, when parliament votes on the current austerity programme. The Socialist Party has formed an alliance with the Communist party and their allies, giving them a majority voting bloc in Portugal’s parliament.

Thai human smuggling trial begins

A case has opened in Thailand against over 80 people suspected of human trafficking. The court hearing follows an investigation into the smuggling of Bangladeshis and Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and the discovery of mass graves of migrants on the Thai border.

Ethiopia faces major drought

Ethiopia has called for urgent food aid as the country faces a major drought in the east and northeast. Ethiopia is housing nearly three quarters of a million refugees.

Australia ends detainee unrest

Australian authorities say police have regained control of the Christmas island detention centre, after the death of an asylum seeker led to rioting. At least five people were injured in two days of unrest.

Russia responds to doping claims

The world athletics body has given the Russian athletics federation until the end of the week to respond to the allegations of state-supported doping. Russia’s sports ministry says it is ready to cooperate but the Kremlin has said the accusations are groundless.

The weather

Cloudy with sunny spells, with most sun in the west. High winds in the north and east. Top temperatures 13 to 23 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English