News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

All red lines crossed in Syria

Speaking a short time ago in Berlin, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davu-toglu said "all red lines" had been crossed in Syria and criticised international inaction after the opposition accused Syrian government forces of murdering hundreds of people in a chemical weapons attack.Earlier today, France said the attack has raised the possibility of the use of force in Syria if it is proven that Bashir Assad's regime used chemical weapons. And, the U.N. Security Council has called for "a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation" of the latest allegations. Maria Perceval is the current council president: “There must be clarity on what happened. All council members agree that any use of chemical weapons by any side under any circumstances is a violation of international law.”

Mubarak set to be released

In Egypt, the deposed leader Hosni Mubarak may be freed from jail today. The prime minister's office said Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for 30 years until he was overthrown in 2011, would be placed under house arrest. The decision by the new interim government was made under a month-long state of emergency declared when police stormed protest camps set up by the Muslim Brotherhood to demand the reinstatement of President, Mohammed Morsi.

Bo Xilai defiant at trial

Fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai has lodged a spirited defense at the country's most high profile political trial in decades, saying he was framed for bribery and had only admitted to crimes against his will while being interrogated. The 64-year-old former Communist Party chief has been charged with illegally taking millions in bribes, as well as corruption and abuse of power and will almost certainly be found guilty.

Mugabe begins new 5-Year term

Zimbabwe's President, Robert Mugabe, who is Africa's oldest leader at the age of 89, has been sworn in for a new five-year term in the face of criticism from political opponents and the West that the election he won in July was deeply flawed. Mugabe has ruled the country since independence from Britain in 1980. In recent years, he has further isolated Zimbabwe through a process of indigenization, in which he has confiscated property from whites and given it to his black supporters. But the populist policy has won him support from people like this wheat farmer: “We are very grateful that President, Robert Mugabe, is once returned to the presidency to lead the country for another five years. Definitely we are pro-indigenization. We think that’s the best policy to allow those who were previously disadvantaged to get into the mainstream of the economy.”

The weather

Mostly sunny skies can be expected throughout the country.

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