News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Hardliner seeks Philippines presidency

Voting has ended in the Philippines in presidential elections polls suggest could be won by an authoritarian former mayor, Rodrigo Duterte who has pledged to kill criminals and end corruption within six months. Rights groups allege he allowed death squads to kill more than 1,000 suspected criminals during his two decades as mayor of Davao city. Duterte has also threatened to abolish congress.

Greece bailout under discussion

The 19 Eurozone finance ministers are meeting in Brussels today to consider Greece’s progress on reforms. Greece’s parliament last night approved a series of tax and pension reforms required in return for the next tranche of its international bailout. The International Monetary Fund has said Greece must be offered substantial debt relief.

Cameron pleads for Britain in the EU

British prime minister David Cameron in a major speech ahead of the referendum next month on Britain’s European Union membership has said the EU is essential to security and stability: “When terrorists are planning to kill and maim people on British streets the closest possible security cooperation is far more important than sovereignty in its purest theoretical form.” The latest polls say around 42% of voters support staying in the EU, 40% will vote to leave.

Belgium terror trial begins

The trial has begun in Belgium of seven members of a suspected extremist cell linked to the Islamist militants who carried out terror attacks in Paris and Brussels. Nine other suspected members of the cell are still at large.

Slovak police shoot refugee

Police in Slovakia have shot and wounded a Syrian woman who was among refugees who illegally crossed the border from Hungary. Slovak officials say the number of refugees and migrants entering the country is rising after Austria tightened border controls with Hungary.

SPÖ meets on future

The executive board of the Austria’s Social Democratic party meets this afternoon to consider the party’s future direction and leadership after its poor showing in the first round of the presidential election. Reports suggest the SPÖ is likely to end its ban on cooperation with the far right Freedom party, at the provincial and municipal level. The leadership of chancellor Werner Faymann has also been up for debate.

Russia marks VE day

Russia has held a major military parade in Moscow as part of commemorations marking the Soviet Union's victory over the Nazis in the Second World War. At the parade, president Vladimir Putin called for an international security system that transcends military blocs.

Mercury crosses the sun

The planet Mercury will orbit directly across the face of the sun today, as seen from Earth. The passage of Mercury takes about 7 hours.

The weather

Warm and mainly sunny. Cloudier in the southwest with scattered rain and thundershowers. Top temperatures 16 to 27 degrees.

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