News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

German says Ankara supports ME terror

A confidential German government report has concluded that Turkey has become a central platform for action for Islamist groups in the Middle East. The interior ministry report, leaked to Germany´s public broadcaster ARD, is based on information from the German Federal Intelligence Service. It states that the German government believes that Ankara has been deliberately financing Islamist and terror organizations with the direct consent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey´s foreign ministry says the allegations reflect a "twisted mentality" that has been trying to target Erdogan.

Turkey to release 38,000 prisoners

Turkey´s justice ministry has issued a decree paving the way for the "supervised" release of some 38,000 prisoners. The reform is an apparent move to reduce the country´s prison population to make space for tens of thousands of people who have been arrested as part of the investigation into last month's failed coup.

Controversial PNG detention centre to be closed

Australia and Papua New Guinea say they have agreed to close a controversial Australian-funded detention centre on Manus Island. But the ultimate fate of 850 men held there remains unclear. Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court ruled in April that detaining asylum seekers and refugees at the centre was unconstitutional. Guardian Australia journalist Paul Farrell specialises in security and immigration issues: "The immigration minister Peter Dutton has reiterated that none of the asylum seekers or refugees on Manus Island will be settled in Australia. So of course the question is what happens to those found to be genuine refugees then?"

North Korean diplomat defects to the South

South Korea has confirmed that North Korea's deputy ambassador in London, Thae Yong Ho, has arrived with his family in South Korea, making him the highest-ranking diplomat ever to defect. The South's Unification Ministry cited Thae´s discontent with the regime and concern for the future of his child.

Rousseff in new bid to avoid impeachment

Brazil's suspended president, Dilma Rousseff, has made a last-ditch effort to avoid impeachment, telling lawmakers she would let voters decide whether to bring forward the presidential election if she is restored to power. Rousseff was relieved of her duties by parliament in May and is now facing an impeachment trial on corruption charges.

Austrians win bronze in Rio

Austria has won its first Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro. The sailing team of Thomas Zajak and Tanja Frank took the bronze in the mixed Nacra 17 category.

The weather

Mostly sunny in the north and east, with isolated showers or thunderstorms in the mountains and the south. Highs today from 18 to 26.

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