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8. April 2017, 21:58

Amnesty highlights concerns over divisive rhetoric

The human rights group Amnesty International says politicians who use divisive rhetoric are creating a more dangerous world. In its annual report, the group said President Donald Trump was one example of an "angrier and more divisive politics". But it also criticised many other leaders including those of Turkey, Hungary and the Philippines. Salil Shetty is the organisation's secretary general: "in 2016 we saw a shocking rise of the politics of fear and hate. So we had politicians across the world dividing societies, polarising societies, scapegoating minorities, migrants and refugees. The consequence of this is that there is a complete free-fall in human rights."

US widens scope for deporting illegal immigrants

The Trump administration has issued guidelines to widen the scope for deporting illegal immigrants from the US. Undocumented immigrants arrested for traffic violations or shop-lifting may be targeted along with those convicted of more serious crimes. The measures do not alter US immigration laws, but take a much tougher approach towards enforcing existing regulations.

N Korean diplomat wanted over poison attack

Malaysian police have named a North Korean diplomat at the country's embassy in Kuala Lumpur as a suspect in the killing of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un. He died last week in a poison attack at Kuala Lumpur airport. Pyongyang has denied any involvement. Jean Lee, a former foreign correspondent and expert on North Korea, says the announcement of the latest suspect is significant: "this is certainly a major development because until now they had named suspects who did not have diplomatic passports. So this is the first suspect who is directly connected to the government. The North Koreans are not likely to hand him over willingly so this is certainly going to deepen the diplomatic row that has been developing between Malaysia and North Korea."

Russian activist to be freed from jail

Russia's Supreme Court has ordered the release from jail of the opposition activist Ildar Dadin. The 34-year old was originally sentenced for a series of peaceful one-man protests against the Kremlin. The court said the criminal case against him should be dismissed.

Austria's Foreign Minister visits UN for talks

Austria's Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz is visiting the United Nations in New York today on behalf of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Kurz, who currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the OSCE, is due to hold talks with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and address the UN Security Council. He's expected to set out the current OSCE priorities which include tackling violent extremism as well as cooperation between the UN and the OSCE.

The weather

Occasional sunshine but also some thick cloud about in many areas. A strong to stormy wind. Highs ranging between 9 and 17 degrees.

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