News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

US and allies agree tough Syria resolutions

The United States, France and Britain at talks in Paris have agreed to seek a strong United Nations resolution that sets binding deadlines on Syria for the removal and destruction of its chemical weapons. United States Secretary of State John Kerry said non-compliance by the regime of Syrian president Bashar Assad would not be tolerated: “If Assad fails to comply with the terms of this framework, make no mistake, we are all agreed, and that includes Russia, that there will be consequences.” The draft resolution is to be sent to Moscow for Russian president Vladimir Putin’s validation. Kerry also said discussions would continue at a UN general assembly meeting later this month on a peace conference for Syria. Meanwhile UN weapons inspectors have handed a report to the Security Council on an alleged poison gas attack in Syria last month.

Concordia salvage begins

A major salvage operation is underway off the coast of Italy to try to raise the shipwrecked ocean liner the Costa Concordia. 32 people died in January last year when it crashed into rocks off the coast of Giglio island and capsized. Salvage crews hope to raise the Costa Concordia so that the wreck can be towed away in one piece.

Philippines bombs rebels

Government forces in the Philippines have begun air strikes against Muslim rebels who have occupied parts of the city of Zamboanga for the past week. The rebels, who are holding dozens of civilian hostages, say they want to establish an independent Muslim state on the island of Mindanao.

Helmand policewoman dies

A top policewoman in the province of Helmand in Afghanistan, Sub-Inspector Negar, has died of her injuries after being shot outside her home yesterday. Her female predecessor Islam Bibi was shot dead in July.

Greek public sector strikes begin

A week of strikes has begun in Greece against public sector layoffs and forced transfers. Greece is required to radically shrink its public sector as part of austerity measures required under its international bailout.

CSU wins Bavaria election

The CSU, allied with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU, has won yesterday’s state election in Bavaria, a week before national elections in Germany. Merkel's coalition partner in the federal government, the FDP, lost more than half their support and all their seats in the Bavarian assembly.

The weather

Changeable with sunny spells in the east. Rain showers spreading from the west this afternoon. Top temps 11 to 23 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English