News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Obama and Merkel hold talks in Berlin

US President Barak Obama is holding talks today with his German counterpart Angela Merkel in Berlin. The two leaders are expected to discuss trade, climate change, and the ongoing crises in Syria and Ukraine. Correspondents say Obama will also seek to reassure Germans, amid concerns about the future of transatlantic relations under his successor Donald Trump.

Trump meets first foreign leader since election

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to become the first world leader to meet President-elect Donald Trump, since his victory in last week's US presidential election. Trump has called into question a Pacific trade deal and demanded that Japan pay more for the US troops stationed on its territory. However Abe says he hopes to build trust with the new US leader. “I feel honoured to be able to hold a meeting with the US President-elect before anyone else. I would like to talk about our dream and vision for the future with President Trump. The Japan-US alliance is a pivot of Japan’s diplomacy and security. The alliance only works based on trust.” Trump also held talks yesterday with New York mayor Bill de Blasio. De Blasio says he told Trump that many New Yorkers were fearful of the next administration, especially threats to deport illegal immigrants.

Italian PM rejects post-referendum role

Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says he will not take part in an interim government, if he loses a referendum on electoral reform on December 4. The referendum, which proposes drastically reducing the role of the upper house of parliament, is expected to be defeated. Correspondents say a government of experts is likely to be formed after the vote.

Dozens of militants killed in Syria

The Russian military says at least 30 members of an al-Qaeda linked group have been killed in a Russian airstrike in the northern Syrian province of Idlib. Three prominent islamist leaders are believed to be among the dead. Syrian activists, meanwhile, say a hospital and blood bank were hit in airstrikes yesterday in the city of Aleppo, leaving at least 32 people dead. Dr Hattem is the director of the hospital. “We believe that Russia and the regime are trying to target all the hospitals in eastern Aleppo. They start with al-Sha’ar area, maybe they will move to another hospital tomorrow or after tomorrow.”

Refugees and migrants set fire to Greek camp

Refugees and migrants have clashed with police on the Greek island of Chios, setting fire to part of the Souda reception camp. The rioters reportedly set off fireworks stolen from a nearby shop and then attacked police with stones.

The weather

Conditions will become increasingly sunny this afternoon, however fog will linger in many lower lying areas. Rain showers should also ease. Top temperatures will range from 4 to 14 degrees.

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