News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Pressure grows for Flynn investigation

The White House is under growing pressure to explain President Trump's relationship with Russia following the resignation of his national security advisor Michael Flynn. Flynn resigned yesterday over accusations that he discussed US sanctions with the Russian Ambassador before Trump took office and that he misled officials, including the Vice-President Mike Pence, about those talks. Some senior Republicans have joined Democrats in calling for an inquiry into Flynn's contacts with Moscow. Democratic Congressman Jim Himes says there are many unanswered questions: "he did mislead the Vice-President. There is likely a reason why he misled the vice-president. Why? What was said to the Russian Ambassador? And what was promised to the Russian Ambassador? Which of course points to a much larger issue which is an odd - maybe even bizarre - closeness between Donald Trump, his people and Russia."

Trump administration signals shift in Middle East policy

In a break with longstanding US policy, the Trump administration says a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians may not come in the form of a two-state solution. Trump is to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House later today.

CETA approved by European Parliament

The European Parliament has approved CETA, the free trade deal between the European Union and Canada. Trade between them currently amounts to more than 60 billion Euros a year. Those in favour of the deal say that will increase by 20%, boosting growth and jobs. But critics have argued it will affect the EU's environmental, labour and consumer standards.

Arrest over death of Kim Jong-un's brother

Malaysian investigators have arrested a woman in connection with the death of the estranged half-brother of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Kim Jong-nam is thought to have been poisoned at Kuala Lumpur airport. Pyongyang has not yet commented on the death.

Debt talks in Greece

The EU's financial affairs chief is in Greece for talks on the country's negotiations with its international creditors. Pierre Moscovici is meeting with senior Greek officials including Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Athens says it will not cave in to demands for more austerity measures. Greece has dependent on international bailouts since 2010.

India launches over 100 satellites into orbit

India's space agency says it's successfully launched a record 104 satellites into orbit from a single rocket. The satellites belong to various companies in the US, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan. They also included an Indian earth observation satellite.

The weather

Mostly sunny with highs ranging between 5 and 14 degrees.

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