News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

New evidence of chemical weapons use in Syria

Senior UN investigator Carla del Ponte says testimony from people in Syria, strongly suggests that the toxic nerve gas sarin is being used in the Syrian conflict. Del Ponte told Swiss television that opposition fighters appeared to be responsible for the chemical weapons use. “We have no indication at all that the government have used chemical weapons.” The Syrian government, meanwhile, has accused Israel of killing and injuring many people in a series of airstrikes in Syria over the weekend. It also denies Israeli claims that the strikes were targeting a shipment of missiles destined for Lebanon.

Neo Nazi trial opens in Munich

The trial has begun in the German city of Munich of an alleged member of a neo Nazi cell, who's accused of complicity in a series of racially motivated murders. Prosecutors say Beate Zschäpe was a member of the National Socialist Underground, which killed 10 people, mostly of Turkish origin, between 2000 and 2007. German MP Sebastian Edathy says the case has highlighted deficiencies in tackling far right groups. “The obvious failure of our security forces is, at the least, based on underestimating the threat of neo Nazism in Germany, prejudiced investigation and certainly a lot of miscommunication between different security institutions.”

Malaysian opposition challenges election result

Malaysia's governing coalition has won a narrow victory in parliamentary elections over the weekend, extending its 56 year hold on power. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, whose bloc won 89 of the 222 seats, has refused to recognise the result, and is demanding an investigation into allegations of fraud.

Hungary’s Prime Minister condemns anti-Semitism

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promised to take a hard line against anti- Semitism, at the start of the World Jewish Congress in Budapest. The president of the Congress, Ronald Lauder, urged Orban to do more to tackle the problem, following regular anti-Semitic statements by the right wing Jobbik Party, the third strongest force in the Hungarian parliament. “Hungarian Jews, Mr Prime Minister, need you to take on these dark forces. They need you to be proactive. They need your leadership in the fight.”

Police clash with Islamists in Bangladesh

Police in Bangladesh have broken up a large demonstration by Islamists in the capital Dhaka. Officials say at least 15 people were killed and 60 injured in clashes.

ÖVP plans broad coalition talks after Salzburg win

The Austrian People's Party says it will hold wide-ranging coalition talks, after winning yesterday's state election in Salzburg. The ÖVP won 29 percent of the vote, while the Social Democrats, who previously held power in the state, fell to an historic low of just 24 percent. The Greens meanwhile claimed 20 percent, their best ever election result.

The weather

Overcast and wet conditions will dominate this afternoon, with the chance of some sunshine in western and central regions. Top temperatures will range from 15 to 25 degrees.

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