News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Philippines survivors “desperate”

Officials in the Philippines are warning that people are growing increasingly desperate for water, food and medical supplies five days after Typhoon Haiyan struck central regions. Eight people were killed when thousands of survivors stormed a rice warehouse to get food near the devastated city of Tacloban. Jose Aguinaday is a survivor from Tacloban: “We need massive international relief aid here now. If nothing will be done in the next few days hundreds of people more will die.” International relief operations are under way, but aid distribution has been hampered by damage to roads and airports. Philippine officials say over 2,200 people are now confirmed dead from the typhoon with more than 600,000 made homeless.

Israel halts settlement plans

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has halted plans to explore construction of more than 20,000 new homes in the West Bank. Netanyahu said the plans, announced by the housing ministry, would create unnecessary confrontation with the international community and could weaken his campaign for international negotiators to reach a tougher deal with Iran over its nuclear programme. Palestinian officials had warned that the construction plans would put an end to the current peace talks

Record Afghanistan drug harvest

The United Nations says this year’s drug harvest in Afghanistan has reached record levels with over 200,000 hectares given over to opium production. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has warned that withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan next year is likely to make the situation worse.

Army threatens rebel forces in Aleppo

In Syria, jihadi groups have called for rebel brigades to stop the advance of the Syrian army in Aleppo. A number of Islamist groups in recent days have called for a general mobilisation of rebel forces in Aleppo to counter a government offensive.

Ukraine delays Tymoshenko vote

Ukraine's parliament has delayed a vote on a bill which would have allowed the release from prison of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, to travel to Germany for medical treatment. The European Union has refused to sign association and free trade accords with Ukraine until Tymoshenko is released. Ukraine’s opposition has accused President Viktor Yanukovych of sabotaging the EU deal in favour of closer relations with Russia.

Bacon triptych fetches record price

A three panelled painting by Francis Bacon of fellow artist Lucian Freud has become the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction, going for over 140 million dollars in New York. The record was previously held by Edvard Munch's The Scream which sold for 120 million dollars last year.

The weather

Overcast with fog over most of the country and scattered showers. Windy in the east. Some sunny spells in mountain areas in the west. Top temperatures 2 to 11 degrees.

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