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8. April 2017, 21:58

Russia criticises UN Syria report

Russia has criticised the UN report on last month's chemical weapons attack in Syria saying it was biased. The report did not apportion blame over the August attack, but the US, France and Britain say government forces were responsible. A senior Russian minister says Syria has given Moscow new evidence that opposition fighters in the conflict had used chemical weapons. He also said that the inspectors had only looked at evidence surrounding the August attack and not been to the sites of three previous alleged chemical weapons attacks. Meanwhile, as the conflict continues the World Food Programme says it's expecting a rise in the number of people requiring food aid. Spokeswoman Ertharin Cousin: "we are working to increase the number of people that we're reaching in Syria to four million people by the end of October and about 1.5 million people outside Syria."

Austrian police find body after siege

Investigations are continuing in Lower Austria following the fatal shooting of 3 police officers and a paramedic. Police say they believe a charred body found during a four-hour search of the suspect’s farmhouse is that of the 55-year old man who carried out the shootings. The police came across it after extinguishing a fire in a basement room that was only accessible through a hidden door. The development followed a day-long siege with special units backed by army tanks surrounding the property.

Two-day strike underway in Greece

Civil servants in Greece have started a two-day nationwide strike to protest planned job cuts. Schools and courts look set to remain closed, train services are affected and hospitals are functioning with reduced staff levels. The job cuts are a condition of the country's international bail-out.

Tony Abbott sworn into office in Australia

Australia's new Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been sworn into office following his conservative coalition's victory in the general election. He says he'll take immediate action to reduce the number of asylum seekers arriving by boat and has promised to scrap a carbon tax which was levied by the last Labour government.

Scottish parliament debates independence

The Scottish parliament is debating Scotland's future - a year before a referendum on whether it should become independent. Opponents of the move say Scotland has the best of both worlds by remaining part of the UK. Scotland's First Deputy Minister in the Scottish Nationalist government, Nicola Sturgeon, says she's in favour: "there's no question Scotland can be independent - the question is: should we be independent? And there my argument is simple - it's better to take decisions about Scotland here in Scotland."

Tourists airlifted from Acapulco

In Mexico, over 2,000 tourists have been airlifted by the army from the resort of Acapulco, following heavy flooding caused by tropical storms. The death toll from the severe weather in the country has risen to 47.

The weather

Dull and rainy with a lively to strong wind. Occasional sunshine in the south. Highs between 11 and 20 degrees.

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