News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

G20 meeting starts in Germany

Foreign ministers from the Group of 20 leading industrialised and emerging economies are starting two days of talks in Germany with the focus on global development. Germany says it wants to keep up momentum on 17 of the "sustainable development goals" agreed on by the international community.
Among those attending is the new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who's embarking on his first foreign trip in the post.

Trump holds talks with Netanyahu

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says there is no alternative to the principle of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Trump administration has signalled that it could depart from a longstanding US policy by suggesting that a Middle East peace deal may not come in the form of two states. During talks with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, President Trump outlined his views: "so I'm looking at two states and one state and I like the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while that two states looked like it may be the easier of the two. But honestly if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best." The Palestinian spokesman Saeb Erekat said abandoning the two-state principle would be "a disaster and a tragedy for Palestinians, Israelis and the whole region."

Puzder withdraws bid for US Labour Secretary

President Trump's administration is facing further problems after his choice for labour secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his nomination a day before his confirmation hearing. The fast-food billionaire had lost the support of some Republican Senators. He had admitted once employing an illegal immigrant as a housekeeper.

Trudeau addresses European Parliament

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the whole world has benefited from a strong European Union . Trudeau has been speaking to the European Parliament a day after it gave the green light for the EU-Canada free trade deal known as CETA. He said the EU was a remarkable achievement and an unprecedented model for peaceful cooperation.

3rd suspect arrested over Kim Jong-nam's death

A third suspect has been arrested in Malaysia in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He was apparently poisoned at Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday.

Austria sues Airbus over Eurofighter jets

The Austrian government has launched legal action against Airbus in connection with the 2002 decision to buy Eurofighter jets for the Austrian Airforce. Austria is demanding at least 180 million Euros worth of damages over claims that Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium had misled the government over the price, equipment and delivery terms. Airbus says it's unable to comment at the moment.

The weather

Lots of sunshine but some freezing fog about in the far east. Highs ranging between around zero in the fog but generally between 6 and 14 degrees.

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