News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Migrant deportations to Turkey resume

A second group of people have been deported from Greece to Turkey. A boat carrying 45 Pakistani men left the island of Lesbos earlier today following a small protest. The move is part of an EU deal with Turkey to reduce the numbers of refugees and migrants coming to central Europe. Ewa Moncure is a spokeswoman for the EU's border agency Frontex and explains who was on board the ferry: "there were 45 returnees. They were all male adults from Pakistan. There were escorts with returnee plus a back-up team. Also there was a doctor and translators."

Austria and Italy hold talks on migration policy

Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner is holding talks with her Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano on the refugee and migrant crisis in Rome. Mikl-Leitner is using the meeting to inform Italy of Austria's preparations to strengthen controls along its border with Italy.

Pope issues new guidelines on family

Pope Francis has published new guidelines on family life. The 260-page paper, called "The Joy of Love", does not change Catholic doctrine. But it does call for a church that is less strict and more understanding of the realities of modern family life. It says, for example, that the Church should show more compassion towards those who have divorced and remarried.

John Kerry visits Iraq

The US Secretary of State John Kerry is paying a visit to Iraq. The trip is aimed at showing support for the country's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as he grapples with a political crisis, economic problems and the military campaign against Islamic State militants.

Syrian rebels take key town from IS

Syrian rebel forces have taken over a town near the Turkish border that had been the main stronghold of IS. The capture of al-Rai is being seen as a major boost for the rebels as it secures an important supply line for them.

Cameron criticised over offshore fund

The opposition Labour party in the UK has strongly criticised the Prime Minister David Cameron after he acknowledged that he had profited from an offshore fund set up by his late father. The details were revealed in the Panama papers leak. Cameron said he sold the shares before he became Prime Minister in 2010 and had paid all UK taxes due on them.

The World Bank launches climate plan

The World Bank has launched a plan to spend 50% more on projects to help developing countries cope with climate change. The plan envisages powering 150 million homes through renewable energy and more investment on green transport. Bank officials say it's a response to last December's global climate conference in Paris.

The weather

Rain spreading across the country with isolated thunder storms possible and the snow line sinking in the West. Windy in the east and highs mostly between 5 and 13 degrees.

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