News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Boston suspects had weapons cache

Investigators looking into the Boston Marathon bombings say they have evidence the two suspects may have been preparing further attacks. Police say they have found many explosives similar to those used in last Monday’s bombings and a large stockpile of weapons. There are reports that the surviving suspect, 19 year old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, has responded to questions from investigators in writing, but that has not been officially confirmed. He is believed to have received an injury to the throat during a fire fight with police before his arrest last Friday.

EU warned over Myanmar sanctions

Human Rights Watch has accused security forces in Myanmar or Burma of complicity in crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. The BBC has obtained a police video which shows police standing by as Buddhist groups attack and kill minority Muslims. The European Union is expected today to decide whether to permanently lift non-military sanctions on Myanmar, in response to recent reforms. Phil Robertson from Human Rights Watch says easing sanctions is wrong: “We believe this is premature and will ultimately serve to take the EU out of the human rights dimension in Myanmar. We see this as unfortunately a triumph of business interests and investments in Burma over human rights.”

Foreigners taken hostage in Afghanistan

Turkey says eight Turkish nationals have been abducted by insurgents after their civilian helicopter made a forced landing in eastern Afghanistan. The Russian and Afghan pilots were also taken hostage.

Serbia approves Kosovo agreement

The Serbian government has unanimously approved an agreement, brokered by the European Union, to normalize relations with Kosovo. The European Commission has recommended that negotiations for accession to the EU should be opened with Serbia.

Hunger strike spreads at Guantanamo

United States military officials say half of the 166 prisoners still held at the Guantanamo Bay prison are now on hunger strike. The prisoners are protesting against their indefinite detention. Most are being held without charge.

Iran announces new talks

Iranian media say a new round of talks is to be held between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna on May 21. It would be the 10th round of negotiations on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme between the two sides since early last year.

Lufthansa cancels most flights

Germany's biggest airline Lufthansa has cancelled most of its flights today because of a strike by ground staff over pay. The industrial action is the second of its kind in the last two months.

The weather

Changeable with scattered rain and thundershowers, especially in the south. Some sunny spells and mainly dry in the east. Top temperatures 17 to 22 degrees.

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