News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Russia urges access for UN inspectors in Syria

Russia has joined dozens of other nations in calling on Syria to allow UN inspectors access to a site in Damascus, where hundreds of people are alleged to have been killed in a chemical weapons attack. Both the Syrian government and opposition have accused each other of responsibility. UN agencies meanwhile say the number of children forced to flee Syria as a result of the two and a half year conflict has now reached one million. The head of the UN's refugee agency, Antonio Guterres, says the figure is alarming. “Syria is facing the enormous risk of having a lost generation. It’s not only one million refugee children, it’s two million children displaced inside the country and millions trapped in their villages and in their towns with bombs falling around.”

Bo Xilai rejects testimony in corruption trial

The disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai has continued to vigorously defend himself, on the second day of his trial for corruption. Bo dismissed video testimony given by his wife, saying she was unstable and had been coerced. The former Communist party highflyer is accused of taking bribes and covering up his wife's involvement in the murder of a British businessman.

Egypt braces for more protests

Supporters of the deposed Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi are set to take to the streets today, in what's being described as a "Friday of Martyrs". At least 900 people have been killed in Egypt since the army broke up several large protest camps last week, and there are fears of more bloodshed today. The protests come a day after the release of ex-President Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled in a popular uprising in 2011. Khaled Dawoud is the former spokesman of Egypt's National Salvation Front, which is part of the current government. “There is growing dissatisfaction with the strong comeback of the people who belonged to the Mubarak era. There is a serious worry about the effect of violence on the long term.”

New gang rape sparks outrage in India

A 22 year old woman has reportedly been gang raped in the Indian city of Mumbai, while on assignment as a photojournalist. A similar case last year in the capital Delhi provoked widespread public anger, and forced the authorities to introduce tougher laws for crimes against women.

Israel attacks target inside Lebanon

The Israeli military says its jets have bombed a suspected terror site to the south of the Lebanese capital Beirut. It comes one day after rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine says one of its bases was hit in the strike, but denies any involvement in the rocket attack.

US soldier expresses remorse over Afghan killing

A US soldier, who has admitted killing 16 Afghan civilians in a rampage last year, has apologised for the massacre, calling it an act of cowardice. Staff Sergeant Robert Bales is due to be sentenced by a Washington military court, after pleading guilty in June.

The weather

Partly sunny conditions should continue this afternoon, but cloud will increase, with the chance of showers in the west and south. Top temperatures will range from 19 to 28 degrees.

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