News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Protests grow over Trump travel ban

The Trump administration is continuing to defend its temporary ban on immigration despite protests in the United States and around the world. Refugees have been suspended from entering the US, while citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries have been barred. Public attorneys in sixteen US states have described the restrictions as unconstitutional, while some senior Republicans have warned it may help terrorist recruitment. The European Union has said the EU does not discriminate among refugees on the basis of race, nationality or religion and that it is examining the impact of the ban on EU citizens. Iraq’s parliament has voted for retaliatory measures. However president Trump’s aides are hailing the ban as a massive success story intended to keep the US safe.

UK ‘won’t cancel Trump visit’

The British prime minister’s office has rejected calls to withdraw an invitation to president Trump to make a state visit later this year. Over 1 million people have signed a petition against the visit.

Canada mosque attacked

In Canada six people have been killed and eight injured in a shooting at a mosque in the city of Quebec. Authorities say two people have been arrested. Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau condemned the attack as an act of terrorism against Muslims. Quebec liberal leader Philippe Couillard has made a statement of solidarity with the Muslim community: “I want to say a few words to our fellow Quebecers, Muslim Quebecers, we are with you, this is your home, you are welcome here, we are all Quebecers.”

Austria’s coalition agrees reforms

Austria’s coalition government has agreed a new reform programme, after SPÖ chancellor Christian Kern called for concrete measures to be delivered in the remaining 18 months of the legislative period. Details of the reforms expected to be announced later today by chancellor Kern and vice chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner of the ÖVP include stricter integration measures for refugees, a ban on full face veils in public, and tax and business reforms.

Hamon wins French left primary

France’s former education minister, Benoit Hamon has been chosen in primary elections as the Socialist Party's candidate for presidential elections in three month’s time. Hamon espouses strongly left wing policies.

Crisis escalates in Ukraine

The Ukrainian government says at least five of its soldiers have been killed in clashes with pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country.
It follows reports of an upsurge in fighting around the industrial town of Avdiyivka.

The weather

Foggy in low lying areas, cloud in the west, sunny elsewhere. Top temperatures minus 7 to plus 7 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English