News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Iran embassy attacked in Beirut

Two explosions near the Iranian Embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut have killed at least twenty three people including the Iranian cultural attaché, and wounded dozens. A Lebanon-based al Qaeda affiliate, the Abdullah Azzam brigades has claimed responsibility for what it said were two suicide bombings. In a Twitter message the brigades threatened more attacks in Lebanon until Iran pulled its forces out of Syria. The Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah has sent fighters to Syria to support president Bashar Assad and his forces. Michael Young is an editor at The Daily Star in Beirut: “It’s obviously significant that this is a direct attack against Iran. Here we see something apparently being directed against the Iranian government.”

Paris police seek gunman

The search continues in France for a gunman who opened fire outside the offices of the Liberation newspaper in Paris yesterday, critically wounding a photographer. Police believe the same gunman was involved in incidents at a French bank, in a brief hostage-taking and at a television station on Friday. Police have been stationed at media outlets.

Emergency declared in Sardinia

Italy’s government has declared a state of emergency in Sardinia, after a cyclone struck the island. At least 16 people died as bridges collapsed and rivers burst their banks. Hundreds have been left homeless.

Indonesia “reviewing” Australian ties

Indonesia has said it is reviewing its cooperation with Australia after allegations Australian spy agencies had monitored the phone of Indonesia’s president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and top aides. Yudhoyono said he deplored the lack of remorse shown by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott over the allegations.

Nepal bombing during vote

In Nepal a bomb has exploded outside a polling station in the capital Katmandu, wounding three people, as voting began to elect a special assembly to draw up a long-delayed constitution. The election is considered vital to establishing political stability after a 10-year communist insurgency ended in 2006 and the monarchy was overthrown.

UN surveys Somali refugees

The United Nations is preparing a survey in the world’s largest refugee camp at Dadaab in northern Kenya to ask nearly half a million Somalis living there whether they are willing to return to Somalia. Early reports say many of the camp’s inhabitants are reluctant to leave because their children are receiving schooling in Dadaab.

Karzai seeks US pact

Afghan President Hamid Karzai meets United States negotiators today to try to agree a new security pact governing US forces in Afghanistan after NATO's combat mission ends next year. The pact is to be presented later this week in Kabul to thousands of Afghan tribal and political leaders, who will decide whether US troops will be allowed to stay.

The Weather

Mainly foggy, with some sunny spells in föhn wind areas north of the Alps. Rain in the south. Top temperatures 3 to 15 degrees.

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