News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

65 million people displaced by conflict worldwide

The United Nations refugee agency says the number of people displaced by conflict is at the highest level ever recorded. In its annual report marking World Refugee Day, the UNHCR estimates that over 65 million people were either refugees, asylum seekers or internally displaced at the end of 2015. More than half come from Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi: "It´s 10 per cent more from the figure we had at this time last year. It means 24 people displaced every minute. Two-thirds are internally displaced people - the most difficult to reach. Fifty per cent of the refugees are children. I mean these are all extremely worrying trends."

UK parliament tribute to murdered MP

British politicians are being recalled for a special sitting of parliament to pay tribute to Labour MP Jo Cox, who was killed in her constituency in West Yorkshire last week. MPs had been in recess ahead of Thursday´s referendum on Britain´s membership of the European Union. Latest polls suggest the "remain" camp has been boosted following the murder of Jo Cox, who was campaigning against a so-called Brexit.

Vienna court hears presidential election challenge

Public hearings have begun at the Austrian Constitutional Court in Vienna into the Freedom Party´s legal challenge to last month´s presidential election. The FPÖ candidate, Norbert Hofer, was defeated by the former Green Party leader, Alexander Van der Bellen, by just over 30,000 votes. The FPÖ has claimed that there were irregularities and is demanding a re-run.

Trump speaks in favour of racial profiling

The presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said the US should "seriously" consider profiling Muslims inside the country, after the mass shooting at a gay nightclub last week in Orlando, Florida, which claimed 49 lives. Officials will reportedly release transcripts today of telephone calls made to emergency 911 dispatchers by the gunman Omar Mateen during the siege.

Italy´s Five Star Movement on the rise

The anti-establishment Five Star Movement has made big gains in Italy, winning mayoral elections in Rome and Turin. Virginia Raggi will become Rome's first female leader, in a victory seen as a blow to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his centre-left Democratic Party. Raggi capitalised on anger over corruption and deteriorating services. The Democratic Party won the Mayoral races in Milan and Bologna.

14 killed in Afghan suicide bombing

Afghan officials say a Taliban suicide bomber has killed 14 Nepalese security guards in an attack on their minibus in the capital, Kabul. It´s understood they were employed as guards for foreign embassies. The Taliban have stepped up attacks as part of their summer offensive.

Solar Impulse 2 heads over the Atlantic

A solar-powered plane has taken off from New York on a trans-Atlantic flight, the latest and most challenging leg of its bid to circle the globe. The Swiss-made Solar Impulse 2 will be landing in Spain in three days´ time.

The weather

The rain should ease, some sunshine in the west, but showers are still possible. Highs from 14 to 23.

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