News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Merkel’s CDU suffers state election disaster

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party has suffered its worst ever result in elections over the weekend in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. The party won just 19 percent of the vote, finishing in third place behind the Social Democrats and the anti-immigrant Alternative für Deutschland. CDU General-Secretary Peter Tauber has blamed the poor result on his party's refugee policy. The AfD's deputy leader, Beatrix von Storch, says Merkel is out of touch with ordinary Germans. “We call it the beginning of the end of Angela Merkel’s era. She’s following the wrong policy and people are no longer supportive. It shows that the people really seek for an alternative policy.”

Protestors win seats in Hong Kong parliament

A new generation of anti-Beijing activists have won seats in Hong Kong's Legislative Council, following elections on Sunday. The elections are the first to be held since mass protests in 2014, which saw large parts of the city occupied for weeks by activists calling for greater autonomy from China.
Among the newly elected MPs is 23 year old Nathan Law, one of the leaders of the 2014 demonstrations.

G20 leaders look to boost global growth

Leaders of the world's 20 largest economies are holding a second day of talks today in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. The G20 summit is focussing on sluggish global economic growth. Chinese president Xi Jinping told the summit that it was important for the G20 to show leadership. “The G20 is just like a bridge that brings us together from different parts of the world. We have come here for a common mission. At this critical juncture for the world economy and international economic cooperation, it is imperative that the G20 take the lead and blaze a new trail.”

Blasts kill dozens across Syria

Syrian State media are reporting that over 30 people have been killed in a series of explosions across Syria. The blasts occurred in the cities of Homs, Damascus, Tartous and the Kurdish-held city of Hassakeh. US officials, meanwhile, say they have failed to reach agreement with Russia on a temporary ceasefire in Syria, during talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Truck drivers join Calais migrant protest

Hundreds of truck drivers have joined residents in a protest in the French city of Calais to demand the closure of a migrant camp known as the "Jungle". Thousands of migrants live in squalid conditions in the camp. Protestors accuse them of employing increasingly aggressive and dangerous tactics in an effort to reach Great Britain.

Prosecutor wants Sarkozy to stand trial

The State Prosecutor in the French capital Paris has recommended that former French President Nicholas Sarkozy face trial over alleged funding irregularities in his failed 2012 re-election campaign. The ruling could derail Sarkozy's bid to stand for the French presidency again next year.

The weather

Changeable conditions are set to continue this afternoon with some sunshine in the south and rain for areas north of the Alps. Top temperatures will range from 13 to 23 degrees.

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