News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Outspoken general to be US Defence Secretary

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated retired General James Mattis to take the post of Secretary of Defence. The former marine, who is known as 'mad dog', is an outspoken critic of President Obama's Middle East policy and the Iran nuclear deal. Trump made the announcement at a rally in Ohio. “We are going to appoint mad dog Mattis as our Secretary of Defence. But we’re not announcing it until Monday so don’t tell anybody. Mad dog is great.”

Four major cities announce diesel ban

The leaders of four major cities have agreed to impose a ban on diesel vehicles from 2025, in an effort to improve air quality. The mayors of Paris, Mexico City, Madrid and Athens made the announcement at a meeting in Mexico. The World Health Organisation says 3 million deaths a year are linked to air pollution.

Austria’s presidential candidates clash in debate

Austria's presidential candidates have taken part in a bitter televised debate, ahead of Sunday's re-run election. Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer and the former Greens leader Alexander Van der Bellen repeatedly accused each other of lying and running a smear campaign. Van der Bellen narrowly won the previous vote in May, but it was overturned by the Constitutional Court because of irregularities.

President Hollande will not seek re-election

French President Francois Hollande has announced that he will not stand for re-election. The 62 year old Socialist leader is the first sitting president not to seek a second term in the history of the Fifth Republic. Conservative candidate Francois Fillon is the favourite to win next year's poll. Socialist MP Helene Conway-Mouret says Hollande's decision reflects his deep unpopularity. “There was a disenchantment among the people who felt they just had the same feeling of rejection against President Hollande as they had against Nicholas Sarkozy. So maybe he heard that voice, and that’s the most important one.”

Final campaigning ahead of Italy’s referendum

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is engaged in a final, frantic day of campaigning before Sunday's referendum on constitutional reform. Renzi has promised to resign if the changes, which include reducing the powers of the upper house of parliament, are rejected by voters.

Europol warns of increased IS attacks in the EU

The European police agency, Europol, has warned that the so called Islamic State may be preparing to step up attacks in the EU, amid setbacks for the militant group in Syria and Iraq. In a new report, Europol says IS fighters returning to Europe could employ tactics used in the Middle East such as kidnappings and car bombings.

The weather

Changeable conditions have been forecast for this afternoon with strong winds easing. A few showers are to be expected for areas east of Salzburg. Top temperatures will range from 0 to 15 degrees.

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