News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Donald Trump praises Putin’s leadership

Republican candidate Donald Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin during campaigning for November's US presidential election. Speaking during a question and answer session with military veterans in New York, Trump said Putin had been far more of a leader than US president Barak Obama. “The man has very strong control over a country. Now it’s a very different system and I don’t happen to like the system but certainly in that system he’s been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader. We have a divided country.” Trump’s rival Hillary Clinton, who also appeared at the forum, admitted that her support for the Iraq War had been a mistake and was forced once again to defend her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State.

Russia says deal is close with the US on Syria

The Russian government says it is close to reaching agreement with the United States on a document aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria but compromise is still needed on a small number of issues. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin had held detailed talks on the issue with his US counterpart Barak Obama at the recent G20 summit.

Taliban forces sweep into regional capital

Reports coming out of Afghanistan say Taliban fighters have launched a major assault on the city of Tarin Kot, the capital of central Uruzgan Province. The militants have reportedly fought their way to within a few hundred metres of the governor's compound and police headquarters. A government spokesman says scores of militants have been killed in fierce clashes with the security forces.

Obama urges China to respect territorial ruling

US President Barak Obama has urged China to comply with an international tribunal ruling that rejects China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Obama told a meeting of the ASEAN group of South-East Asian Nations that the US would work to ensure that the dispute was resolved peacefully. “The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region. I recognise this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and regional stability.”

Doubt cast on EU-Canada airline data deal

The Advocate-General to the European Court of Justice says a deal between the EU and Canada to share information on airline passengers cannot come into force in its current form. Paolo Mengozzi says the deal, which allows the authorities access to wide-ranging data, infringes on the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The Paralympics get underway in Rio

The Paralympics have opened in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro with a spectacular ceremony showcasing disabled athletes and performers, promoting the theme of inclusion. Brazil's new president Michel Temer was booed during the ceremony. He took office last week, after his predecessor Dilma Rousseff was impeached for breaking budgetary laws.

The weather

Mostly sunny conditions are set to continue this afternoon, with the chance of isolated showers in the south and in mountainous areas. Top temperatures will range from 22 to 29 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English