News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Iran releases US sailors

Iran has released ten United States sailors it arrested for entering Iranian territorial waters after the US apologised to Tehran over the intrusion. The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards naval forces has said investigations showed the boats had drifted into Iranian waters yesterday after developing mechanical problems. Iran is expected to receive within days the first wave of sanctions relief from landmark nuclear accords.

Obama condemns anti-Muslim rhetoric

United States president Barack Obama in his final State of the Union address has emphasised the achievements of his two terms in office in job creation and health care reform. However Obama also said that he deeply regretted the degree of polarisation in US politics and warned against extreme voices dominating public life: “When politicians insult Muslims, whether abroad or our fellow citizens, when a mosque is vandalised, that doesn’t make us safer. It’s just wrong.”

Turkey detains attack suspects

Turkish police have detained three Russian nationals suspected of links with the Islamic State terror group. They are among dozens of people arrested following yesterday’s suicide bomb attack in Istanbul that killed ten tourists, eight of them German citizens. Turkey says the suicide bomber was a member of IS.

Belgian finds terror safe houses

Belgian authorities say they have now identified three properties used by the Islamic militants who carried out the terror attacks in Paris last November. The apartments and a house were all rented under false names and paid for in cash.

EU Commission considers Poland laws

The European Commission today debates how to respond to controversial new laws in Poland passed by the new nationalist Law and Justice government. The legislation includes a bill that allows the government to appoint and dismiss public broadcasting staff, and changes to Poland’s constitutional court which critics say undermine the rule of law. Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has said he will veto any attempt to impose sanctions on Poland over the laws.

Denmark debates severe refugee laws

The Danish parliament today debates a law that would allow authorities to force refugees to hand over their valuables in order to pay for their accommodation while applying for asylum. The legislation, which is expected to pass, will also restrict refugees’ ability to bring family members to Denmark. The United Nations has warned that the move may fuel fear and xenophobia.

China arrests Swedish human rights worker

China has arrested the Swedish co-founder of a human rights group in Beijing. Authorities said Peter Dahlin of the China Action group has been detained on suspicion of endangering state security.

The weather

Stormy winds, changeable with sunny spells and rain and snow showers. Sunnier in the south. Top temperatures minus 1 to plus 10 degrees.

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