News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Syrian regime “committed systematic torture”

Three senior war crimes prosecutors say photographs and documents smuggled out of Syria show clear evidence of the torture and systematic killing of about 11,000 prisoners by the Assad regime. The evidence was taken out of Syria by a defector who had worked with the military police. One of the prosecutors is Sir Desmond de Silva: “The images I saw of starved bodies were reminiscent of pictures one saw coming out of Auschwitz after the Second World War. And these poor creatures were tortured as well, some with eyes gouged out as part of the torture, others strangulated, others burned.”

Syrian peace talks likely

Peace talks for Syria appear likely to go ahead tomorrow in Switzerland after United Nations secretary general Ban ki Moon withdrew an invitation to Iran to attend. Ban said Iran had refused to publicly support the plan to form a transitional government in Syria. The UN chief rescinded the invitation under intense pressure from the United States and the opposition Syrian National Coalition. Iran, a key ally of Syrian president Bashar Assad, has strongly criticised the cancellation of its invitation, as has Russia.

Hezbollah targeted in bombing

At least four people have been killed and dozens injured in a bombing in the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital Beirut, a stronghold of the militant movement Hezbollah. The area has been the target of repeated car bombs in recent months, amid tensions over the war in Syria.

Thailand declares state of emergency

The government of Thailand has imposed a 60 day state of emergency from tomorrow, in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. A protest movement has blockaded parts of the capital to try to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign.

Violent protests in Kiev

Clashes have continued for a second night in the Ukrainian capital Kiev between anti-government protestors and security forces. President Viktor Yanukovych has warned that the violence threatens Ukraine’s stability. The opposition leader Vitali Klitschko has accused the government of paying thugs to delegitimise the protests through violence.

Polio workers shot dead

In Pakistan, gunmen have shot dead three health workers vaccinating children against polio in Karachi. Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for killing polio workers in the past.

Serbia starts EU talks

Serbia has formally begun negotiations to join the European Union. Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said the start of the accession talks in Brussels is an historic moment for his country.

Turkey’s leader in Brussels

Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Brussels for talks with European Union leaders on Turkey’s membership negotiations. The EU has strongly criticised recent moves by Erdogan to tighten government control over the judiciary, after a corruption inquiry implicated members of his government.

The weather

Cloudy with scattered showers and a few sunny spells. Top temperatures minus 1 to plus 10 degrees.

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