News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Details given about Boston explosives

FBI agents in the US have been giving details about the explosives used in the bomb attack on the Boston Marathon. Three people were killed and over 170 injured in two explosions near the finishing line of Monday's race. It's still not clear who was behind the attack. The FBI agent in charge of the investigation Richard DesLauriers says it appears ball bearings and nails were used to make the bombs: “among items partially recovered are pieces of black nylon which could be from a back pack. And what appeared to be fragments of ball bearings and nails possibly contained in a pressure cooker device.”

Funeral held for Margaret Thatcher

Amid tight security involving more than 4,000 police officers, the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is underway at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Thatcher - who was prime minister from 1979 to 1990 - died last week after suffering a stroke. Often referred to as a very divisive figure, the conservative politician is being given a ceremonial funeral with military honours. Historian Francis Beckett: “this is the only funeral of its scale of any former prime minister apart from Winston Churchill, who obviously had a state funeral. This is not a state funeral because a state funeral requires a decision of parliament. And whereas parliament was entirely united behind the idea of giving Churchill a state funeral, it would not have been entirely united on this occasion.”

Pakistan airlifts injured after earthquake

Pakistan's army says it's been evacuating seriously injured people by helicopter following Tuesday’s earthquake near the Iranian border. There've been conflicting reports about the death toll from the tremor, which measured 7.8 on the scale. It's now thought 10 people were killed in Pakistan, whilst the Iranian authorities said one person was killed on their side of the border and 12 injured.

Bush government criticised over Guantanamo

An independent panel in the US has issued a highly critical report of the George Bush administration's treatment of terror suspects. The "Constitution Project" says officials at the highest level were responsible for what it said was the "indisputable" use of torture. The report urged Bush's successor President Barack Obama to close down the Guantanamo detention camp by the end of next year.

New Zealand allows same sex marriage

MPs in New Zealand have approved a bill to allow same sex marriage. The development makes the country the first in the Asia-Pacific region to extend full marriage rights to gay couples. The bill had been opposed by the Roman Catholic Church and conservative groups.

The weather

Very sunny in the West - elsewhere a mix of sun and cloud with isolated showers, thundery at times. Highs will be ranging between 16 and 24 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English