News in English

23. April 2017, 02:00

London attacker “British-born”

British police say eight people have been arrested and six addresses raided in Birmingham, London and elsewhere, following yesterday’s terrorist attack on the houses of parliament. Two people were killed when the attacker drove a car into crowds on Westminster Bridge, before he stabbed to death an unarmed police officer guarding parliament. The attacker was shot dead by other officers. 29 people injured remain in hospital, seven in critical condition. Britain’s most senior counter terrorism officer, Mark Rowley: “It is still our belief, which continues to be borne out by our investigation, that this attacker acted alone, and was inspired by international terrorism. At this stage we have no specific information about further threats to the public.” Addressing parliament, prime minister Theresa May has said the attacker was born in Britain and had previously been investigated by the security services in connection with violent extremism, but was not being currently monitored. World leaders have expressed their sympathy and support for Britain, following the attack.

Ukraine army depot ablaze

Ukrainian military officials say a fire and explosions at an ammunition depot in the east of the country were triggered by an act of sabotage. The site in the Kharkiv region is around 100 kilometres from the frontline of Ukraine’s war against Russian-backed separatists. Around 20,000 people have been evacuated from villages around the depot.

Syria fighting escalates ahead of talks

There are reports from Syria of fierce fighting between the army and rebel groups around Damascus and the city of Hama, as a new round of peace talks are scheduled to begin today in Geneva. The United Nations special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura has said the latest developments are alarming but that the delegations invited to Geneva will attend.

Egyptian soldiers killed in Sinai

The Egyptian military says ten members of the security forces have been killed when their vehicles were bombed in an operation against Islamic extremists in central Sinai. It says 15 militants were killed and seven others arrested during the operation.

US health care bill up for vote

United States president Donald Trump has been making final appeals to Republicans to back their party’s proposed healthcare bill ahead of a vote today in the House of Representatives. The bill repeals and replaces historic health care reform passed under former president Barack Obama. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says the Republican bill would deprive 14 million people of insurance by next year.

Arctic ice at winter low

Scientists at NASA say the extent of Arctic ice has fallen to a new wintertime low, as a result of climate change. Researchers say the climate in the Arctic is changing faster than anywhere else on Earth, with unknown impacts.

The weather

Cloudy, with sunny spells over most of the country, rain showers in the south west. Top temperatures 11 to 21 degrees.

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