News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Ex-Ivory Coast leader on trial

The former president of the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, has gone on trial at the International Criminal Court in the Hague. He faces charges of crimes against humanity and other war crimes for instigating a civil war in the Ivory Coast following a disputed presidential election in 2010. Around three thousand people were killed during the conflict. Gbagbo has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Jim Wormington of Human rights Watch: “It is very significant because it demonstrates that even those people who once appeared untouchable can still be brought to face justice for the crimes they have committed.”

Sweden plans to deport rejected asylum-seekers

24 refugees, including 10 children, have drowned after their boat sank off the Greek island of Samos in the Aegean Sea. 10 others have been rescued and a search continues for other possible survivors. Meanwhile, Sweden says it could deport up to 80,000 migrants whose asylum applications are rejected. 160,000 people sought asylum in Sweden last year. The interior ministry says deportees will likely be returned to their home countries by charter aircraft.

UK to accept child refugees from Syria

Meanwhile, Britain says it will take in unaccompanied child refugees from Syria and other war zones. Campaigners have called for the UK to accept at least 3000 children who have reached Europe. London is also asking the UN to help it identify which children should come to Britain from refugee camps in and around Syria.
Campaigner Iona Laurence works in a refugee camp in Calais, France: “I can’t stress enough the vulnerability of the minors who are in this camp. They have very little choice. They can try and jump on trains, they can submit to trafficking. The announcement today gives them another choice.”

German refugee hoax revealed

German police have said a report that a 24-year old Syrian refugee died while waiting in line at the Berlin asylum office was a hoax. Reports of the death had triggered an outpouring of anger and grief. A volunteer at the facility has admitted making up the story.

Rohani in France

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is in France today on a trip aimed at rebuilding diplomatic and trade ties following the international agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program. Today car-maker Peugot announced plans for a joint venture to make automobiles in Iran. Iran is also expected to sign a deal to buy up to 200 aircraft from the Airbus consortium.

Brazil calls for unity in fight against Zika

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff is calling for Latin American unity in fighting the outbreak of the Zika virus, which is known to cause birth defects. Speaking in Ecuador, Rousseff said solidarity is crucial: “We know that the only way to cooperate at this time is by sharing knowledge about the best practices and the best technologies to fight this virus.”

The Weather

The afternoon will remain sunny in the south. The rest of the country will be increasingly cloudy with rain in the north. Highs today are ranging from 9 to 19 degrees.

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