News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Egypt mediation efforts “failed”

Egypt’s presidency says international diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis with the Muslim Brotherhood have failed, and that it holds the Brotherhood responsible for any consequences. Envoys from the US, the EU and Arab nations have sought to mediate between the government and supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. There are concerns the authorities may use force to break up two protest camps of Morsi supporters in Cairo. The EU says it will continue to try to mediate.

Yemen foils major terror attack

The authorities in Yemen say they have thwarted an al Qaida plan to blow up gas pipelines and take control of key cities and ports. Exceptional security measures remain in place in the country amid fears of a terror attack in the capital, Sana'a. Yemeni government advisor Mohamed Kubati: “I’m not surprised that this comes because Yemen is in a very important strategic position or location. Al Qaida is obviously concentrating its effort there.” There are reports the United States is preparing special forces for possible attacks in Yemen against al Qaida militants.

Syrian rebels ambushed

A pro-opposition Syrian monitoring group says at least 62 rebel fighters have been killed in a Syrian army ambush, east of Damascus. The state news agency said the rebels were from the al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front.

Obama to attend G20 summit in Russia

US president Barack Obama has said he is "disappointed" that Russia granted temporary asylum to the former CIA analyst, Edward Snowden, who leaked evidence of highly secret US surveillance programs. In his first comments on the Russian decision, Obama said he would however attend the G20 economic summit in St Petersburg at the beginning of September.

Two year radiation leak at Fukushima

Japan's government says radiation-contaminated water has been leaking into the Pacific Ocean from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant for the past two years, at an estimated 300 tonnes a day. The government has pledged to step up efforts to stop the leak.

Nairobi airport closed by fire

A major fire has closed Kenya's main international airport in Nairobi, the largest airport in East Africa. Officials said there were no immediate signs of terrorism. No injuries were reported.

Czech government faces confidence vote

The Czech government faces a vote of confidence later today which it is widely expected to lose. Czech President Milos Zeman has said he intends to keep Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok in office pending police investigations into corruption which lead to the fall of the previous government.

The weather

Mainly sunny and very hot with strong föhn winds. Isolated thunderstorms mainly in the west. Top temperatures 31 to 39 degrees.

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