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8. April 2017, 21:58

UK government loses Brexit vote appeal

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that Prime Minister Theresa May must get parliament's approval before she begins Britain's formal exit from the European Union. Judges voted by 8-3 to dismiss the government's argument that May could simply use executive powers known as "royal prerogative" to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty. Britain's attorney general Jeremy Wright says that the government will comply with the ruling: "The court has been very clear throughout the ruling on this case that it has not been deciding whether the United Kingdom should or should not leave the European Union. The people of the United Kingdom have already made that decision." Scotland´s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the British government is obliged to consult with the devolved administration and it´s becoming ever clearer that Scotland must decide whether to take the future in its own hands.

Some progress reported in Syria talks

Representatives from Russia, Turkey and Iran are reportedly working on a statement to reaffirm a fragile ceasefire in Syria. They are also trying to establish a mechanism to monitor its compliance and pave the way for a UN-led peace settlement. Delegations from the Syrian government and opposition are holding the second day of indirect talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana. The United Nations today appealed for over $4.6bn in fresh funding to help some five million Syrian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries. The UN says $3.4bn is also needed for more than 13 million internally displaced people.

Trump withdraws from TPP trade deal

The foreign affairs panel in the US senate has narrowly endorsed Rex Tillerson as the new secretary of state, while the senate confirmed Mike Pompeo as head of the Central Intelligence Agency. Earlier in the day President Donald Trump signed an executive order formally withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal or TPP, a key pillar of Barack Obama´s economic policy.

More bodies recovered after Italy avalanche

The death toll from an avalanche in central Italy has risen to 14 after five more bodies were recovered from the hotel buried last week by tonnes of snow. Eleven people have been rescued but 15 others are still missing.

Ecclestone replaced as head of Formula One

After nearly 40 years as chief executive of Formula One motor racing, the British business magnate Bernie Ecclestone has been replaced by the American Chase Carey. The move came after the US mass media company Liberty Media completed its $8bn takeover of the sport.

The weather

Mist or fog in the north and east, elsewhere plenty of sunshine. Top temperatures from minus 8 to plus 4.

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