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8. April 2017, 21:58

EU Britain reform draft published

A draft deal on reform of Britain’s relationship with the European Union has been published by European Council president Donald Tusk. First reports say the draft partially meets British demands for limits to benefits for migrant workers, and could allow national parliaments to block unwanted EU laws. The aim is to get a final text agreed with all member states at an EU summit in just over two weeks, allowing British prime minister David Cameron to hold a referendum in June on whether to stay in the EU.

Iowa caucus delivers surprise results

In the first public vote in the United States presidential election, arch conservative Texas senator Ted Cruz has won the Republican vote in the Iowa caucus, ahead of billionaire Donald Trump. Florida senator Marco Rubio, who has the backing of many senior Republicans, came third. Among the Democrats, former secretary of state Hilary Clinton and her socialist rival Bernie Sanders each received around 50% of votes.

Jordan calls for international aid

King Abdullah of Jordan has warned that his country can absorb no more refugees from the war in Syria without substantial help from the international community. Syrian refugees make up nearly 20% of Jordan’s population. King Abdullah was speaking ahead of an international donors’ conference to be held in London on Thursday: “It’s come to a boiling point. Jordanians are suffering from trying to find jobs, the pressure on infrastructure when it comes to the educational system, health care. This week is going to be very important for Jordanians to see not only is there going to be help for Syrian refugees but for their own future.”

Syrian peace talks remain tentative

Delegates from Syrian opposition groups and the government are holding separate meetings with United Nations officials on a second day of peace talks in Geneva. The opposition has said it will only decide on its formal participation in the talks once its sees the outcome of the meetings. Meanwhile the UN says the Syrian government has approved “in principle” new aid deliveries to three besieged towns where hundreds of civilians are facing starvation. Aid for civilians is a key opposition demand.

Anti-IS coalition discusses strategy

Representatives of twenty three nations are in Rome today to consider strategy against the Islamic State terror group. The focus is on efforts to wrest territory from IS in Syria and Iraq and how to combat the group’s rise in Libya.

Brazil warns on Zika virus

The Brazilian government has warned pregnant women not to travel to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro later this year because of Zika virus infections, but said the games will go ahead. The World Health Organization has declared the mosquito-borne Zika virus an international public health emergency. The virus has been linked to brain abnormalities in babies.

The weather

Cloudy with a few sunny spells, windy, with top temperatures 6 to 15 degrees.

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