News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Denmark votes on refugee bill

MPs in Denmark are expected today to approve a controversial bill allowing the confiscation of cash and valuables from asylum seekers, to help pay for their stay in refugee centres. Police will be able to seize assets over 1300 euros. Items of sentimental value will be exempt. The bill also restricts rights to family reunification. Human rights activists, the United Nations and the Council of Europe have said they are deeply concerned by the move. Danish MP Penny Liskibbe opposes the bill: “Families are going to be torn apart for years. Essentially it’s going to cost lives I fear.”

Austrian cabinet approves asylum restrictions

The Austrian government at today’s cabinet meeting has approved legislation that would grant asylum only for a limited period, with a mandatory review of whether the original grounds for a refugee to flee their home country still exist. Asylum seekers’ rights to family reunification would also be restricted under the bill.

Swedish refugee worker murdered

In Sweden a 22 year old woman working at a refugee centre has been stabbed to death. Police have arrested a 15 year old unaccompanied asylum seeker.

Syrian army captures rebel town

Syrian government forces say they have captured the strategically important town of Sheikh Maskin in the southern province of Deraa, from rebel forces. Russian air strikes played a key role in the offensive against the rebels. Meanwhile Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has criticised Turkey’s demands that Kurdish groups should not take part in United Nations sponsored Syrian peace talks meant to open in Geneva on Friday.

Rouhani on European state visit

Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani has met Pope Francis at the Vatican, as part of the first state visit to Europe by an Iranian president in nearly two decades. Italy and Iran signed around 17 billion euros worth of business deals yesterday, following the international agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme that brought a lifting of sanctions.

China deports Dahlin

China has deported a Swedish human rights activist, Peter Dahlin who was taken into custody earlier this month and accused of being a foreign agent. Dahlin’s arrest came as part of a crackdown on human rights groups.

Malaysia PM cleared of corruption

Malaysia’s attorney-general has cleared Prime Minister Najib Razak of corruption allegations over a 680 million dollar gift he received from the Saudi Arabian royal family. He said most of the money was returned because it wasn’t used. The purpose of the gift remains unclear.

The weather

Dry with fog and cloud clearing to a few sunny spells. Windy in the east. Top temperatures 6 to 16 degrees.

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