News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

The UN begins chemical attack investigation

United Nations experts are beginning an investigation into a suspected chemical attack in the suburbs of the Syrian capital, Damascus, which activists say killed hundreds of people early on Wednesday. Syria agreed on Sunday to allow the inspectors to visit the site. But the United States and its allies say evidence has probably been destroyed by heavy government shelling of the area over the past five days. William Hague is the British foreign minister: "The fact is that much of the evidence could have been destroyed. Other evidence could have become degraded over the last few days and other evidence could have been tampered with. So we have to recognise that is evidence, some of which could by now, have become compromised." Meanwhile, military commanders from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada are meeting in Jordan to discuss the Syrian conflict with their counterparts from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The talks in Jordan had long been planned. But last week´s alleged chemical weapons attack has spurred calls for global action against the Syrian regime. It has blamed rebel forces for the deaths.

Middle East peace talks called off

Reports are coming in that Palestinian officials have called off renewed peace talks with Israel, after Israeli forces allegedly shot and killed three Palestinians during a dawn raid at the Qalandiya refugee camp in the West Bank. According to medical sources, 19 others were wounded, six of them seriously. Israeli police say that officers were trying to apprehend a "terror suspect" when hundreds of Palestinians attacked them with firebombs and rocks.

New US spying allegations

The German magazine Der Spiegel is reporting that the US National Security Agency systematically spied on other states and institutions, citing documents obtained by the former American intelligence analyst Edward Snowden. The UN headquarters in New York and the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency were reportedly among the targets. According to the documents, the NSA operates a bugging programme in over 80 embassies and consulates worldwide called the "Special Collection Service".

Bo Xilai´s trail concludes

Prosecutors say the former senior Chinese politician Bo Xilai should be shown no leniency, as his trial concludes in Jinan. Bo has denied charges of bribery, corruption and abuse of power for allegedly trying to cover up his wife´s role in the murder of a British businessman in 2011.

Fire fighters battle to control Yosemite fire

Fire fighters in California are struggling to control a huge wildfire which has reached the edge of the Yosemite National Park. It covers an area of over 500 square kilometres and threatens water and power supplies to San Francisco.

The weather

Mostly overcast with the chance of thundery showers. Highs today from 13 to 23.

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