News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Afghanistan considers future US forces

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has appealed to a national gathering of elders in Kabul to back a draft security agreement between the United States and Afghanistan on the role of American troops when the NATO combat mission there ends next year. Karzai told the meeting known as a Loya Jirga there was a lack of trust between him and the US but that the agreement is essential to Afghan security. US secretary of state John Kerry negotiated the pact with Karzai: “We have agreed on the language that would be submitted to a Loya Jirga, but they have to pass it. It is up to the people of Afghanistan.” The elders have the right to revise or reject any clause of the deal at the four day meeting.

Drone attack strikes Pakistan madrasa

Security officials in Pakistan say a suspected US drone has killed at least five people at an Islamic seminary in the north west of the country. It is only the second drone attack outside Pakistan's remote tribal region since 2004. The madrasa had links to the main anti-US militant group, the Haqqani network, an ally of the Taliban.

Bomber in Turkey “fake”

Turkish officials say police have detained a man carrying a fake bomb outside the office of prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. There had been earlier reports of a suspected suicide bomber. Erdogan was not at his office at the time of the incident.

Ukraine puts EU deal in jeopardy

Ukraine’s parliament has rejected bills that would have allowed the release of jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko for medical treatment abroad. The European Union had made Tymoshenko's release a condition for signing a trade and partnership agreement with Ukraine next week. Ukraine has been under pressure from Russia not to sign.

France arrests suspected gunman

French authorities have named a man arrested on suspicion of carrying out recent gun attacks in Paris as Abdelhakim Dekhar. He had served a prison sentence in the 1990s in connection with fatal shootings in Paris by a far left militant group.

Iran talks resume in Geneva

Talks between six world powers and Iran on its nuclear programme are into their second day in Geneva. Diplomats are aiming for a six month interim confidence-building agreement under which Iran would limit its uranium enrichment programme, in exchange for some relief from sanctions.

“Unarmed civilians” killed in Northern Ireland

Former members of an undercover unit used by the British army in Northern Ireland in the 1970s have admitted on a BBC programme that they killed unarmed civilians. Their statements have been referred to police.

The weather

Overcast and foggy with scattered showers especially in the east and south. Some sun in the north. Top temperatures 1 to 11 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English