News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Kenya mourns victims of shopping mall attack

Three days of national mourning have begun in Kenya for the victims of the Islamist attack on a shopping centre in the capital Nairobi. At least 67 people were killed and some 175 others injured in the assault, which was carried out by al-Shabab militants in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia. The death toll is expected to rise. Five militants were killed and 11 others arrested. The end to the four-day drama was announced by the Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta: “I promise that we should have a fully accountability for the mindless destruction, deaths, pain, loss and suffering we have all undergone as a national family.”

Croatia agrees to EU extradition demands

Croatia has agreed to implement changes to its extradition rules in line with European Union demands. Croatia’s Justice Ministry says the new regulations will take effect as soon as possible, but no later than January 1st of next year. Brussels had threatened to withhold some financial aid to Croatia unless it complies with EU standards on extraditing suspected criminals within the bloc.

UN weapons inspectors back in Syria

United Nations weapons inspectors are returning to Syria to continue their investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons during the country’s conflict.The Syrian government and rebels accuse each other of carrying out the attacks. Meanwhile, in the opening speech of this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Obama said no matter what happens in the coming months, it's time for the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, to go: “I do not believe that military action can achieve a lasting peace. Nor do I believe that America or any nation should who will lead Syria. Nevertheless a leader who’s slaughtered his citizens and gassed children to death cannot regain the legitimacy to lead a badly fractured country.”

Iran says it is ready for nuclear talks

Also speaking at the UN General Assembly, the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said he was prepared to engage in talks on his country's controversial nuclear programme. However he criticized UN and Western sanctions against Iran and he insisted that his country was enriching uranium only for peaceful purposes: “I declare here openly and unambiguously that notwithstanding the position of others, this has been and will always be the objective of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Pakistan earthquake kills more than 250

A powerful earthquake has killed more than 250 people in Pakistan's remote south-west province of Balochistan. Entire villages are reported to have been destroyed by the quake which had a magnitude of 7.7.

The weather

Sunshine in most of Austria this afternoon but persistent cloud in the east and south-east. Highs are ranging from 14 to 25 degrees - with the warmest temperatures in the south.

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