Massive losses for CSU in Bavaria poll +++ UN warns of Yemen famine +++ Major issues still to be resolved over Brexit

15. November 2018, 02:00

Massive losses for CSU in Bavaria poll

In Germany, the sister party of Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU - the CSU - has lost its absolute majority in regional elections in Bavaria. The CSU - which has ruled the state almost single-handedly since the late 1950s - took around 37% of the vote. Merkel's national coalition partners the Social Democrats saw their support halved. The poll also saw a major boost for the Greens who came in second whilst the far right Alternative for Germany looks set to enter Bavaria's parliament for the first time. Political analyst Constanze Stelzenmüller from the Brookings Institution says there are key implications for Merkel's coalition: "we're expecting another regional election in two weeks. And the Social Democrats are now openly discussing whether they might have to leave the coalition to preserve themselves if they get another hammering in that state election in Hessen. "

UN warns of Yemen famine

The UN is warning that Yemen may soon start to face famine on a massive scale if the war continues and aid doesn't reach the population. It says 13 million people are now at risk of starvation. The UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen is Lise Grande: "we can help to mitigate the suffering but we can't solve this problem. This is a problem that is caused by the war and the solution is clear, the solution is obvious - the war has to stop. This is why humanitarians have said as loudly as we can: enough is enough. Everyone everywhere has to do everything possible to end this crisis."

Major issues still to be resolved over Brexit

The British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt says he's cautiously optimistic that the U.K. and the EU will be able to secure an agreement on the UK's departure from the bloc but added that it's unlikely to happen at an EU summit on Wednesday. The Irish border remains one of the main issues still to be resolved.

Riyadh and Ankara discuss Khashoggi's disappearance

The leaders of Saudi Arabia and Turkey have spoken by phone to discuss the disappearance in Istanbul earlier this month of the prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Riyadh has denied allegations that he was murdered inside the Saudi consulate. As international pressure grows on the Saudi authorities to explain what happened, more senior business figures have decided to pull out of a key investment conference due to take place later this month in Riyadh.

Harry and Meghan are expecting their first baby

In the UK, Kensington Palace has announced that Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle are expecting their first baby next spring.

The weather

Sunny in the west, a mix of sun and cloud in the east with the possibility of rain in places. Highs ranging between 15 and 25 degrees.

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