News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Many feared dead in Texas blast

As many as 15 people have died after a fire triggered a massive explosion at a fertiliser plant near Waco in the U.S. state of Texas. Over 160 others are reportedly being treated in hospital. Emergency officials say dozens of homes and buildings have been destroyed, and several are still on fire in the small town of West Texas. Brad Sullivan is with the local television station KWTX: “My gut feeling is that this was an accident. You know, a fertiliser plant caught on fire and it just exploded. But how that fire started will be interesting to find out. Was it an accident? Did someone set that fire and then high-tail it out of there? You never know.”

Boston bombing suspect captured on video

President Barack Obama is to attend an inter-faith memorial service later today for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. Officials investigating Monday´s attacks say a potential suspect has been identified from surveillance camera footage. 3 people died and 170 were wounded in the worst attack on U.S. soil since September the 11th 2001.

Obama attacks gun law opponents

The Senate has blocked President Obama´s push for tighter gun controls. He made the issue a top priority after the mass shooting at a Connecticut school in December, in which 20 young children and 6 staff members died. Obama described it as a shameful day for Washington.

IMF chief faces questioning

It´s being reported that the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has been summoned to appear before a French magistrate on May the 23rd for questioning over an arbitration payment to a wealthy supporter of former President Nicholas Sarkozy. Lagarde, the former French finance minister, could be placed under formal investigation.

Italy´s parliament holds presidential vote

Italy´s divided parliament is gathering to vote on a new president to succeed Giorgio Napolitano. The vote will be a crucial step towards resolving the stalemate in Italy since the inconclusive election in February left no party with enough support to form a government.

North Korea sets conditions for talks

North Korea has said it is ready to talk if United Nations sanctions are withdrawn and if the U.S. and South Korea put an end to joint military exercises. Tensions have been rising on the Korean peninsula since North Korea conducted its third underground nuclear test in February.

Musharraf flees from a Pakistani court

And Pakistan´s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has fled from the High Court in Islamabad after judges ordered his arrest. He had been in court seeking an extension of his bail, in a case where he faces charges connected to his sacking of judges in 2007. The retired general returned to Pakistan after years in self-imposed exile last month.

The weather

Plenty of sunshine but isolated showers or thunderstorms are possible later on. Highs today from 19 to 27 degrees.

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