News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Turkey urged to allow in refugees

The German chancellor Angela Merkel is meeting with Turkish political leaders in Ankara to discuss measures to reduce the flow of refugees and migrants to Europe. Meanwhile the European Union has urged Turkey to open its border to around 35,000 Syrian refugees fleeing a Russian-backed government offensive around Aleppo. Turkey is currently hosting around 2.5 million Syrians who have fled the war. Turkish aid workers have been providing tents and aid to the latest wave of refugees but on the Syrian side of the border.

Kurz in Balkans to discuss border security

Austrian foreign minister Sebastian Kurz has begun a tour of six Balkan states to discuss measures to deal with the flow of refugees and migrants. Kurz has strongly condemned Greece saying it has done too little to solve the crisis. He is to hold talks in Macedonia and Albania on securing their borders to Greece.

UN condemns North Korea

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously condemned North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket and said new sanctions are to be imposed on Pyongyang. The launch comes after North Korea carried out a fourth nuclear test last month. Christopher Hill is a former United States chief negotiator with North Korea on its nuclear programme: “There’s no question that they have a very robust testing programme. Whatever level of success they have they will undoubtedly do it again and again, until they perfect it so, yes, we have a big problem.”

Search teams rescue four in Taiwan

In Taiwan, search teams have rescued at least four people today from the ruins of an apartment building in Tainan city more than 60 hours after the tower block was destroyed by an earthquake. The official death toll has risen to nearly 40, but authorities in Tainan say more than 100 people are still missing.

Hopes for trapped mine workers in SA

Rescue workers in South Africa say three people trapped in a gold mine following an accident last week may still be alive. They say tapping sounds have been detected.

Martelly leaves office in Haiti

Haiti’s President Michel Martelly has left office with no successor yet chosen. The second round of the presidential election was delayed for a second time last month amid violent protests and concerns about vote rigging.

Myanmar delays choice of president

The newly installed parliament in Myanmar has announced that it will not select a president until mid March, amid speculation that talks between the military and Aung San Suu Kyi could allow her to take the post. The current constitution bars her from the presidency because her sons have British passports. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in general elections last November.

The weather

Changeable with cloud and some sunny spells over much of the country. Overcast with rain and snowfalls in the southwest. Top temperatures 3 to 15 degrees.

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