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8. April 2017, 21:58

Calais camp clearance begins

French authorities have begun moving people from the migrant camp known as the Jungle near the port of Calais, ahead of the camp’s demolition. Around 7000 migrants and refugees who have been trying to reach Britain are being moved to official migrant centres in other parts of France, where they can apply for asylum. The operation has so far proceeded peacefully, after clashes between some camp residents and police last night. Head of the port of Calais, Jean-Marc Puissesseau, said he had sympathy for the migrants: “We are very sorry for these people, because they were getting food, they could go to the hospitals if necessary. On the other hand they were terrible because they were attacking the highway, by slowing down the traffic and climbing on the trucks.”

Kurdish forces advance against IS

Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq say they have encircled the town of Bashiqa, near Mosul, cutting a key supply route for IS into Mosul. Turkey has said its forces have joined the fight against IS around Bashiqa, at the request of Kurdish fighters. Iraq’s government has rejected any Turkish involvement in the battle. Meanwhile IS militants have attacked the town of Rutba, in western Iraq, in an apparent attempt to divert attention from the Mosul offensive.

Wallonia “won’t yield” on CETA

The French-speaking region of Wallonia in Belgium has said it won’t yield to an ultimatum set by the European Union for it to decide on the EU-Canada free trade deal, CETA, by this evening. The EU set the deadline for a decision, saying a summit on Thursday to sign the pact with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will otherwise be cancelled. All 28 EU governments support CETA including Belgium, but its government requires the consent of its five regions.

Spanish political deadlock ends

Spain's King Felipe is holding talks with political party leaders before he is expected to call on acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy from the conservatives to try to form a government and end a near 10-month political deadlock. The Socialist party has agreed to clear the way for Rajoy to lead a minority government.

AT&T deal draws scrutiny

United States officials and both presidential candidates have raised concerns about a planned deal for AT&T to buy Time Warner, for 85 billion dollars. A Senate subcommittee responsible for competition is to hold a hearing in November on the deal, which would create a media giant controlling both content and its distribution.

CO2 reaches new record

Climate change scientists say carbon dioxide levels have reached a new global high of 400 parts per million. Levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are now over 40 times higher than pre-industrial levels.

The Weather

Cloud and fog clearing to sunny spells. Top temperatures from 10 degrees and up to 23 in föhn wind regions.

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