Merkel to champion Paris accord at G20 summit +++ Senior Catholic cardinal charged with sex offences

30. Juli 2017, 02:00

Merkel to champion Paris accord at G20 summit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will champion the issue of climate change, at the G-20 summit beginning next week in Hamburg. Merkel told the German parliament that she was more determined than ever to make the Paris climate agreement a success, despite the US pulling out of the accord. In comments widely interpreted as aimed at Washington, she criticised those who believed they could solve the world's problems with isolation and protectionism.

Senior Catholic cardinal charged with sex offences

The Catholic Church's third most senior official, Cardinal George Pell, has been charged with sex offences in his native Australia. Details of the allegations have not been made public but police say Pell is facing multiple charges relating to historic claims of abuse. Pell strenuously denies the charges and says he will take leave of absence from his post at the Vatican to clear his name. “I’m looking forward finally to having my day in court. I’m innocent of these charges. They’re false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”

White House sets out US travel ban criteria

The United States has set out the criteria for President Trump's travel ban, which will affect refugees and citizens of six mainly Muslim countries. For the next 90 days, people from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen will only be allowed to enter the US if they have close family or business ties. Close family ties are defined as a parent, spouse, child, son or daughter-in-law or sibling. The ban was partially restored on Monday after the US Supreme Court lifted several injunctions.

NATO to boost troop numbers in Afghanistan

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the military alliance plans to send several thousand additional troops to Afghanistan. Speaking ahead of a NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels, Stoltenberg said the troops would help train and assist the Afghan security forces.

China’s President guarantees Hong Kong autonomy

Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised to maintain the ‘one country, two systems’ policy that gives Hong Kong wide-ranging autonomy. Xi made the pledge on a visit to Hong Kong to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover of the former British colony to China.

Iraqi forces capture symbolic mosque in Mosul

Iraqi government forces say they have captured the al-Nuri mosque in the northern city of Mosul, as they push into the last remaining pockets of territory in the old city held by the so-called Islamic State. The mosque is of huge symbolic significance. In 2014, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi used the site to proclaim a caliphate in Syria and Iraq.

The weather

Changeable conditions have been forecast for this afternoon, with some sunshine but also showers, especially in alpine areas. Top temperatures will range from 17 to 30 degrees.

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