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8. April 2017, 21:58

UN launches biggest appeal for aid

The United Nations has launched its biggest ever global appeal for aid donations, half of it to go to people affected by the Syrian civil war. The UN says it needs funds for over 9 million people in Syria in urgent need of food and other aid, and over four million more in refugee camps outside the country. The UN humanitarian aid chief Valerie Amos says many Syrians believe the rest of the world has forgotten their plight: “One of the things that Syrians say to me all the time, why has the world abandoned us. They feel that the world has not really come together, understood what they are facing and done something about it.” The UN’s last appeal for Syria is still only 60% funded.

Austria’s government sworn in

Austria’s new coalition government of the Social Democrats and the Conservative People’s party has been sworn in, after September’s general election. Social Democrat leader Werner Faymann remains chancellor, with People’s party leader Michael Spindelegger vice chancellor and finance minister.

Soldiers shot on Israel Lebanon border

Israel’s army says its troops have shot two Lebanese soldiers, hours after a Lebanese army sniper shot dead an Israeli soldier on the border between the two countries. No details were given on the condition of the Lebanese soldiers. Reports from Lebanon in connection with the earlier shooting said a Lebanese soldier is missing, believed captured by the Israeli army.

South Sudan “crushes coup attempt”

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir says an attempted coup by disaffected soldiers has been put down. There have been reports of heavy gunfire and explosions in the capital Juba.

South Korea warns of new instability

South Korea is warning of renewed instability on the peninsula after the execution last week of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle, Chang Song-thaek. South Korean President, Park Geun-hye, has called for increased vigilance along the border with the North.

Bachelet wins landslide in Chile

In Chile, the center-left candidate Michelle Bachelet won yesterday’s presidential election with a huge majority. Bachelet, who was president from 2006 to10, has promised major tax and education reforms to help ease extreme social inequalities in Chile.

EU discusses Ukraine with Russia

European Union foreign ministers hold talks today in Brussels with their Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, over Ukraine’s relations with the EU. Hundreds of thousands of protestors joined a demonstration in Kiev last night denouncing the Ukrainian government’s refusal to sign a landmark agreement with the EU, apparently under strong pressure from Russia.

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