News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Protests continue in Brazil

Protests have continued in Brazil in spite of a decision by the authorities in two major cities to back down over transport fare increases that sparked widespread public anger. Protestors have been demonstrating over poor public services and the cost of next year's football World Cup. More protests have been planned for today. The mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes says people have a right to demonstrate: "protestors in Brazil have a right to protest and this is what we're going to protect - their right to protest."

UN condemns attack on its Somalia office

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed outrage over yesterday's attack on the UN compound in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. A group of al-Qaeda-linked militants launched the assault with a truck bomb and then got inside the complex. Four UN security staff and four local guards were among the casualties. UN spokesman Nicholas Kay says the mission will continue: "obviously, we're going to take stock of what's happened. But at this stage our firm intent is to stick to the mission and not abandon Somalia or the Somali people."

Air pollution in Singapore at record levels

The authorities in Singapore are urging people to remain indoors amid unprecedented levels of air pollution. The smog has been caused by forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia. The blazes on the island of Sumatra have been started to clear land for plantations. Officials in Singapore say Indonesia must to more to stop the blazes

Talks continue over Greece's political crisis

Talks are to continue today over Greece's political crisis which was triggered by last week's closure of the public broadcaster ERT. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has been holding negotiations with his coalition partners who opposed his decision to shut it down for re-structuring as part of the austerity programme. The dispute has raised the threat of early elections.

Nemcova nominated for Czech Prime Minister

In the Czech Republic, the dominant party in the coalition, the conservative Civic Democratic Party, has named Miroslava Nemcova as its candidate for Prime Minister. The move follows the resignation of Petr Necas who stepped down over a bribery and spying scandal involving his closest aide.President Milos Zeman is expected to name the new Prime Minister next week.

Actor James Gandolfini dies at 51

The American actor James Gandolfini, best known for his role as a mafia boss in "The Sopranos", has died whilst on holiday in Italy at the age of 51. His role as Tony Soprano made him a household name and earned him three Emmy awards.

The weather

It'll be sunny and extremely hot with isolated but heavy thunderstorms developing in the West and southwest. Highs will be ranging between 30 and 38 degrees.

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