News | 8 November 2017

Trump to press China over its ties to North Korea +++ US Democrats claim two key election victories

Trump to press China over its ties to North Korea +++ US Democrats claim two key election victories +++ Myanmar warns UN over Rohingya crisis +++ Spanish leader hopes for normality in Catalonia +++ Germany ordered to recognise third gender +++ The weather

News | 8 November 2017

John Cummins

Trump to press China over its ties to North Korea

US President Donald Trump has arrived in China on the latest stage of his tour of Asia. Talks between Trump and the Chinese leadership are set to be dominated by concerns over North Korea's nuclear program. Trump is expected to urge China, which is North Korea's main ally, to put more pressure on Pyongyang. Earlier, in an address to South Korea's National Assembly, Trump called on the international community to unite against North Korea, saying every country should downgrade ties and fully implement UN Security Council resolutions.

US Democrats claim two key election victories

The Democratic Party has won the governorship of two US states, in the first state elections held since President Donald Trump came to power in January. Ralph Northam defeated his Republican rival Ed Gillespie in a closely watched race in Virginia, while in New Jersey, Democrat Phil Murphy was also elected. The results are a boost for the Democrats ahead of next year's mid-term Congressional elections. Northam told his supporters that voters had rejected the politics of polarisation. “Virginia has told us to end the divisiveness, that we will not condone hatred and bigotry and to end the politics that have torn this country apart.”

Myanmar warns UN over Rohingya crisis

Myanmar's government says criticism from the UN Security Council could undermine efforts to resolve the crisis over the country's Muslim minority. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh amid a crackdown by the security forces. Myanmar's de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the Security Council statement could seriously harm negotiations with Bangladesh.

Spanish leader hopes for normality in Catalonia

Pro-independence activists in the Spanish region of Catalonia have blocked dozens of roads and forced the cancellation of train services, amid calls for mass public protests. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who sacked the Catalan government following its unilateral declaration of independence, told parliament that he hoped for a return to normality in Catalonia, following elections next month. “I hope the polls will serve to open a new political phase, which must be one of peace, normality and harmony, in which the rules of the game are respected.”

Germany ordered to recognise third gender

Germany's highest court has ruled that people should be allowed to register a third gender on official documents that is neither male nor female. The plaintiff, who bought the case before the Federal Constitutional Court, argued that the options currently available were a violation of personal rights. The government has until the end of next year to implement the changes.

The weather

Overcast and rainy conditions have been forecast for eastern Austria, with a mixture of sunshine and fog in the west. Top temperatures will range from 2 to 10 degrees.

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