News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Trump to meet Obama as protests hit US cities

The president elect of the United States Donald Trump is due at the White House later today, for talks with President Obama about a smooth transition of power. Obama, who campaigned strongly against Trump, has urged all Americans to accept the result of Tuesday's presidential election. “We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country. The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.” Anti-Trump demonstrations have been taking place in several cities across the United States. In Los Angeles, protestors blocked a freeway and burnt an effigy of Trump. Thousands gathered outside Trump Tower in New York City, shouting slogans such as ‘not my president’. Abunda Akayo was among them. “I believe the United States has made a terrible mistake. I think that Americans have been very naïve to very strong shifts of governments to the right throughout the western world. So they essentially have found themselves in an incredibly difficult situation and also the rest of the world is incredibly nervous about what’s going on here.”

Trump give security guarantees to South Korea

South Korea's President Park Geun-hye says Trump has pledged to maintain the two countries' security alliance during a telephone conversation. Trump threatened during the election campaign to withdraw US troops from South Korea, if Seoul did not cover a greater share of the cost of the deployment.

Juncker calls for a European military force

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has urged Donald Trump to clarify his stance on issues such as trade, NATO and climate change. Speaking yesterday in Berlin, Juncker called for the creation of a European army, saying Europe should abandon the belief that the United States is responsible for its security.

Iraqi forces accused of atrocities near Mosul

The human rights group Amnesty International has accused Iraqi government forces of killing and torturing civilians during an offensive to recapture the city of Mosul from the so-called Islamic State. Amnesty researchers say up to six people, suspected of having ties to IS, were killed in cold blood in villages south of Mosul.

Chinese official to lead Interpol

A senior Chinese official has been confirmed as the new head of the global police agency, Interpol. Meng Hongwei, a former director of China's paramilitary police, is the first Chinese citizen to hold the post. Critics say the appointment could help Beijing arrest dissidents abroad.

French embassy comes under attack in Athens

Two people on a motorcycle have attacked the French embassy in the Greek capital Athens, injuring a security guard. Police say an explosive device, possibly a hand grenade, was thrown at the building. The attack comes less than a week before President Obama visits Athens.

The weather

Changeable conditions have been forecast for this afternoon, with some rain showers for areas north of the Alps, and sunny periods in the south-east. Top temperatures will range from 2 to 12 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English