News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Syria donor conference opens in London

A donor conference with the aim of raising $9 billion for the victims of the war in Syria is being held in London, a day after UN-brokered talks aimed at ending the conflict broke down. Some 70 world leaders are attending the one-day event. Much of the money raised will be spent on long-term rehousing, schooling and employment for millions of Syrian refugees who´ve fled to neighbouring countries. Anne Richard is the assistant US Secretary of State: "We think that we owe it to them for having done the right thing, and let so many refugees in, to help their societies cope with the strain. Exploratory talks on trying to end the conflict in Syria are expected to resume in Geneva on February 25. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon says the coming days should be used get back to the negotiating table rather than to secure further battlefield gains.

Austria to impose daily refugee limit

The Austrian interior minister Johana Mikl-Leitner has confirmed reports that she is seeking to impose a daily limit on the number of refugees allowed into the country. She did not give a figure but said it would be based on the accommodation available, police resources and the number of refugees and migrants taken in by Germany.

Extra security for Cologne´s Carnival

Over 2,500 police are being deployed in the German city of Cologne for the annual Carnival celebrations. It is the first major public gathering since New Year´s Eve, when scores of women were assaulted and robbed outside the city´s cathedral and railway station.

New speculation over Assange status

The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he will leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and accept arrest, if a United Nations panel dismisses a complaint that he has been unlawfully detained. He took refuge in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he´s wanted for questioning over sexual assault allegations. The BBC is reporting that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has ruled in favour of Assange.

Greek unions stage general strike

Trades unions in Greece are staging a 24-hour general strike in protest at planned reforms to the country´s pension and social security systems. Greece must cut pensions spending by around 2 billion euros this year under the terms of the international bailout.

TPP trade deal signed in New Zealand

One of the biggest and most controversial trade deals in history has been signed in New Zealand by ministers from the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas. Thousands took to the streets of Auckland to demonstrate against the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal involving 12 economies worth about $28 trillion.

The weather

Some sunshine, but also some rain or snow in the west. Top temperatures from minus 2 to plus 9.

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