News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Austria´s new chancellor promises fresh start

Austria's new chancellor and the designated head of the Social Democrats Christian Kern has been chairing his first cabinet meeting, a day after he was officially sworn in. It was the last meeting of the old cabinet, with four new SPÖ ministers sworn in a short time ago by President Heinz Fischer. Kern has promised a fresh start and a new political style. Cathrin Kahlweit, a journalist with Germany´s Süddeutsche Zeitung, says there´s been interest in his appointment beyond Austria: "We are having similar developments in Germany at the moment - a very weak Social Democratic party, a discussion about the leadership in the party and the lack in leadership. So they are looking at Austria, trying to find, you know, the secret of how to do it. And I think that´s the same for all other Social Democratic parties in Europe."

World leaders renew call for an and to Syrian fighting

World leaders have renewed their calls for an end to hostilities in Syria after meeting in Vienna on Tuesday. The talks were led by the US secretary of state John Kerry, the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and the UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura. The 17-nation International Syria Support Group has confirmed the need for immediate humanitarian access to besieged communities.

Scores killed and injured in Baghdad bombings

Three bombings in Baghdad have killed at least 70 people and wounded over 100, as a wave of violence continues unabated in the Iraqi capital. The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadliest of Tuesday´s attacks at a market in the mainly Shia district of al-Shaab.

Many missing after landslides in Sri Lanka

Rescue workers in Sri Lanka are searching for scores of people missing after massive landslides following days of rain. The Red Cross says more than 200 families are feared buried in three villages.

Bernie Sanders vows to fight to the end

Senator Bernie Sanders has scored a decisive win over Hillary Clinton in the US Democratic primary in Oregon and is vowing to fight on to the end of the primary process. Clinton claimed victory in an extremely tight race in the state of Kentucky.

Venezuela´s opposition calls for protests

The Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has urged the army to choose whether it supports the constitution or President Nicolas Maduro, who has announced a 60-day state of emergency. Soldiers and police have been given wider powers to deal with the country's spiralling economic crisis. Capriles says the decree gives the president unconstitutional powers and he´s called for protests today.

Suzuki admits fuel testing problems

Shares in the Japanese car manufacturer Suzuki have fallen sharply, amid reports that it had used improper fuel efficiency testing methods. But Suzuki denied it had cheated to make its cars appear more efficient.

The weather

A mix of sunshine and cloud, with isolated showers. Top temperatures from 14 to 22.

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