News / News Bulletin

German chancellor defends open-door policy

Tuesday, 01 March 2016 5:10 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 01 March 2016 5:09 AM ]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel gestures as she poses before a TV interview on the migrant crisis with public broadcaster ARD, on February 28, 2016 in Berlin. (AFP)

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

A 22-year-old Palestinian man has been killed after clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinians in Qalandiya refugee camp north of Jerusalem al-Quds. Nearly a dozen other Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have also been wounded in the clashes at the camp.
Clashes have broken out in the French coastal town of Calais after recently-evicted refugees attempted to disrupt traffic on a major motorway. Police used teargas to disperse the protesting refugees. The sprawling encampment, known as the Jungle, was subject to demolition on Monday morning.
Scientists have confirmed a link between Zika virus and a dangerous neurological disorder. According to the new finding, the mosquito borne virus is responsible for the Guillain-Barre syndrome in which the body’s immune system attacks a part of the nervous system responsible for muscle strength.
Hecklers have repeatedly disrupted a campaign rally by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump in the state of Virginia. Protesters criticized Trump for not clearly disavowing support from white supremacist groups. Some of the protesters were escorted away from the raucous rally by security guards.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reiterated her open-door policy toward Syrian refugees. She said that countries like Lebanon or Turkey took in many more refugees than Europe was willing to accept. Merkel added that Europe must contribute during such hard times for Syrians and legalize migration.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has expressed concern over continued ceasefire violations in Eastern Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier who chairs the organization said that implementing the peace agreement that was signed last year is the only way to a political solution to the crisis.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for international efforts to block channels for sending weapons to terrorists in Iraq and Syria. He said that an end to the flow of weaponry would help combat terrorist groups including Daesh and Nusra Front.
The death toll from Sunday’s twin blasts in the Somali city of Baidoa has risen to 30. The attacks were carried out at two restaurants in a busy area. Officials say more than 60 people were wounded in the attacks, over a dozen of them seriously.