News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

UK Prime Minister Cameron’s last day in office

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, will leave office today, after six years in power. He'll face his last prime minister's questions in parliament, before going to Buckingham Palace to offer his resignation to the Queen. Cameron's departure comes after he lost the referendum vote on membership of the European Union. His replacement will be Theresa May. Conservative Party historian Tim Bale, from Queen Mary University of London, thinks she may call an early election next year: "I doubt there'll be a snap general election, but I think there may well be one in the spring or the summer. It's going to be very tempting for Theresa May I think to get a personal mandate, we also have to remember that the Conservative Party only has a working majority of 12 in the House of Commons."

27 people killed in Italian train crash

Rescue efforts have continued through the night in southern Italy, following a head on train collision which killed at least 27 people on Tuesday. The two passenger trains crashed at high speed, near the town of Bari. The Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, has promised a full inquiry to found out who was responsible.

China claims right to air defence zone

China has warned that it has the right to set up an air defence zone in the South China Sea after an international tribunal ruled against its claims in the region. On Tuesday, the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected Beijing's claim to resources in much of the South China Sea. China said it would never accept the ruling, adding that it was politically motivated.

Obama calls on US to overcome race tensions

President Obama has made a passionate appeal to Americans to overcome their racial differences. He was speaking at a memorial service in Dallas as he paid tribute to the five police officers killed by a black sniper during a protest against police brutality: "I'm here to insist that we are not as divided as we seem... And I know that because I know America. I know how far we've come against impossible odds."

Hundreds ‘forcibly disappeared’ in Egypt

Amnesty International has accused the Egyptian authorities of forcibly disappearing people to intimidate opponents and crush descent. The human rights group has documented an increase in forced disappearances in Egypt since early last year. It says hundreds of political activists, students and protestors have vanished without trace - with three to four people seized by the security forces every day.

The weather

Increasing rain and thunder, which will be particularly heavy in the south. The north-east will have some sunshine. Highs today ranging from 13 in the far west, to 27 in the east.

Übersicht

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