News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Tensions continue on Korean Peninsula

North Korea says it's suspending all operations at the Kaesong industrial zone which is runs with South Korea. The government says it will recall over 50.000 North Korean workers from the factory complex which is seen as the last major symbol of cooperation with its neighbour. The statement from Pyongyang comes amid weeks of threats and tension on the Korean peninsula. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says North Korea must stop challenging the international community: “the DPRK (North Korea) cannot go on like this….confronting and challenging the authority of the Security Council. This is an urgent and earnest appeal from the international community – including myself.”

Car bomb shakes Damascus

Syrian state television says a car bomb has exploded in central Damascus causing several casualties. It said the blast happened in the capital's main business district. A Syrian government official says 10 people have been killed.

9 killed in blast in Afghanistan

Officials in Afghanistan say a roadside bomb has hit a public bus killing at least 9 civilians and wounding over 20. The blast happened in a province which borders the capital Kabul.

Kerry in Israel for talks

The US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Israel for talks aimed at re-starting the Middle East peace process. He's holding talks today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following yesterday's meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

2 killed in sectarian unrest in Cairo

In Egypt, two people have been killed and over 80 injured in clashes between Muslims and Christians outside Cairo's main Coptic cathedral. The violence follows the funerals of four Coptic Christians who died during sectarian clashes at the week-end.

Both sides claim victory in Montenegro

The incumbent and the opposition candidate have claimed victory following presidential elections in Montenegro. Official results have yet to be released for the country's top post. President Filip Vujanovic from the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists and his opponent Miodrag Lekic both say they are the winners.

Debate intensifies over bank secrecy

The EU's Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta has welcomed an announcement from Luxembourg that it's prepared to ease its banking secrecy laws and work more closely with international tax authorities. The development comes amid a growing debate over tax evasion and tax havens. Austria, which has similar laws to Luxembourg, is also coming under pressure from Brussels over the matter.

The weather

The East will be mainly sunny. The north and south will have a mix of sun and cloud. And cloud will be increasing in the West bringing rain towards the evening. Highs this afternoon will be ranging between 3 and 13 degrees.

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