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8. April 2017, 21:58

The U.S. warns North Korea

South Korea´s Unification Ministry says hundreds of South Korean workers have been prevented from entering a joint industrial complex just across the border in North Korea, amid high tensions on the Korean peninsula. The move has sparked fears the North could carry out its threatened shutdown of the complex as part of a standoff with South Korea and its ally, the United States. Earlier the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned North Korea about re-starting its main Nyongbyon nuclear complex, as it threatened on Tuesday. And he criticised the North´s recent rhetoric and actions: "What Kim Jong-un has been choosing to do is provocative, it is dangerous, reckless, and the United States will do what is necessary to defend ourselves and defend our allies, Korea and Japan."

Historic treaty on conventional arms

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved the first ever treaty that seeks to regulate the international trade in conventional arms. Iran, North Korea and Syria were the only countries to vote against the treaty, while Russia and China were among those who abstained.
It follows a decade-long campaign to halt the uncontrolled flow of arms and ammunition that fuels wars, atrocities and rights abuses.

No deal at Kosovo talks

Serbia and Kosovo have failed to reach a deal on normalising ties at European Union mediated talks in Brussels. Serbia has yet to recognise Kosovo´s independence, declared unilaterally in 2008. The E.U. foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who had been mediating in the talks, said the Serbian Prime Minister, Ivica Dacic, and his Kosovo counterpart, Hashim Thaci, would return home to consult with colleagues and decide on future steps.

Rockets land in southern Israel

Israel has accused Palestinian militants of firing rockets into southern Israel for a second day. Israeli planes on Tuesday launched airstrikes in the northern Gaza Strip, after three rockets were fired into Israel earlier in the day. It´s the most serious outbreak of cross-border hostilities since a ceasefire ended eight-days of fighting in November.

Malaysia set for general election

The Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has dissolved parliament, paving the way for a general election that could be the most closely contested in his ruling coalition´s nearly six decades in power.

Nelson Mandela improving

The former South African President Nelson Mandela is said to be making "steady improvement" in hospital, where he´s being treated for pneumonia. Doctors say Mandela, who´s 94, is much better now than when he was admitted a week ago.

Weather

Widespread sleet or snow, with scattered showers in the south, but dry with some sunshine in the west. Top temperatures today from minus 4 to plus 11.

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