News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

UN restarts aid mission in Homs

The UN has re-started its aid mission in the besieged centre of the Syrian city of Homs. UN vehicles have been taking food into the city whilst aid agencies prepare buses to transport people out. A temporary truce had been expected to end today, but local authorities have said they will allow an extension. Dina Elkassaby is a spokeswoman for the World Food Programme: "we are delivering food parcels that contain bulghar wheat, rice, spaghetti, tomato paste, vegetable oil to give people the nutrition that they need. We're also delivering wheat flour so that people can have bread again. We're also providing food assistance to the people who are being evacuated."

Koreas hold rare high-level talks

Officials from North and South Korea have been holding their first high-level talks in 6 years. The meeting - requested by Pyongyang - is taking place in a village on the border between the two countries. Among the issues under discussion are the planned reunions of families separated at the end of the Korean War. If it goes ahead, it would be the first such reunions in more than three years.

UK prepares for more floods

The British Prime Minister David Cameron says his government will spend whatever is needed to deal with extensive flooding in parts of the UK. Cameron has been defending the coalition's response to the crisis. Forecasters are warning of more stormy weather and severe flood warnings remain in place in parts of southern and western England.

Washington state suspends death penalty

The governor of the US state of Washington says he's suspending the use of the death penalty. Jay Inslee says he hopes the move will encourage what he called "a growing national conversation about capital punishment." Inslee says the system is flawed and that he will grant a reprieve in any death penalty case that requires his action: "equal justice under law is the primary responsibility of our state. And in death penalty cases, I am not convinced equal justice is being served."

Thailand court rules on petitions

Thailand's Constitutional Court has rejected petitions brought by both the government and main opposition party accusing each other of attempting to overthrow the country's system of government during recent elections. The Democrats boycotted the elections, demanding that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra step down to allow an unelected interim administration to bring in reforms.

Hollande honoured at US state dinner

The French President Francois Hollande has been honoured at a lavish White House state dinner. The evening came at the end of the French leader's visit to the US which was aimed at renewing the partnership between the two long-standing allies.

The Weather

Conditions should improve to make way for some sunshine. Highs are ranging between 1 and 9 degrees.

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