News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

EU ministers meet again on the refugee crisis

European Union interior ministers are meeting in Amsterdam to discuss the growing refugee and migrant crisis. They´ll be considering the extension of emergency border controls within the passport-free Schengen zone, a move backed by Austria, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark. The lack of control at Europe's external borders is also on the agenda. Dimitris Avramopoulos is the EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs: "It is obvious that the frontline member states must work more and here we are to support them, to help them, in order to better do their job. But I don´t think that Schengen is at stake."

IS posts video of Paris attackers

The so-called Islamic State group has posted a video apparently showing nine of the suspected Paris gunmen giving their last statements before they carried out the November 13th attacks. The footage shows the men during military training and executing captives, as well as the locations that were attacked in the French capital, leaving 130 people dead. President Francois Hollande says the video will not stop France from resisting terrorism.

Tight security for Egyptian uprising anniversary

Security has been stepped up in cities across Egypt to prevent protests on the fifth anniversary of the uprising that toppled long-time president Hosni Mubarak. Demonstrations are banned and police have raided thousands of homes in Cairo in recent days. Some activists have been arrested and others driven in to hiding. Since coming to power in 2014 President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has presided over one of the harshest crackdowns seen in Egypt in decades.

Iran´s president begins Europe trip

The Iranian president Hassan Rouhani is visiting Italy today on the first stage of a European trip during which he is expected to sign major business deals. The visit comes a week after the implementation of a landmark nuclear deal that saw economic sanctions against Iran lifted.

De Sousa wins Portugal´s presidential election

A veteran centre-right politician, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has won Portugal's presidential election. He took 52% of the vote - enough to avoid a run-off. The post of president is largely ceremonial, but the head of state can dissolve parliament in a crisis.

The US digs out after massive snow storm

Millions of people across the eastern United States face huge challenges as the working week begins after a massive snowstorm over the weekend. A travel ban has now been lifted in New York City, but residents are being urged to stay off the roads. Government buildings and many schools in Washington will be closed today. Twenty-nine people died in the storm.

Dozens die in Asia cold snap

An unusually cold weather front has hit large parts of Asia. In Taiwan 80 people have reportedly died, the majority from strokes and hypothermia. The cold spell has also hit South Korea, Hong Kong, southern China and Japan.

The weather

Sunny in the west and south, but more rain or snow in the east. Top temperatures from 3 to 13.

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