News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

NATO suspends cooperation with Russia

NATO has suspended all practical civilian and military cooperation with Russia in protest at its annexation of Crimea. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said the Russian action is the gravest threat to European security for a generation. Meanwhile NATO’s top commander in Europe, US General Philip Breedlove, says Russia has massed all the forces it needs on Ukraine's border should it decide to carry out an incursion into the country, and could achieve its objective in three to five days. Russia has criticised the suspension of cooperation saying it would benefit neither side.

UN warns on C.A.R. violence

Continuing violence in the Central African Republic is being discussed at a special meeting on the sidelines of a European Union-Africa summit in Brussels. UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon underlined the gravity of the situation: “The people of the Central African republic are suffering deplorable atrocities. We must act quickly to stop the killings and protect the civilian population.” The EU is sending a 1,000 strong military mission to the Central African Republic to join 8000 French and African Union troops.

Chile struck by major quake

Chile has declared three northern regions disaster areas after a magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck off the coast. The quake triggered a tsunami with two meter tall waves. At least five people have died and tens of thousands have been evacuated from affected regions.

Two killed in Cairo blasts

Egyptian state media say a police brigadier-general and a civilian have been killed in two blasts outside Cairo University. Riot police had been stationed because of demonstrations by students supporting ousted president Mohammed Morsi.

Kerry denies peace talks have failed

The United States secretary of state John Kerry has denied suggestions the latest attempt at Israeli-Palestinian peace talks has failed. He was speaking after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed applications for Palestinians to join a number of UN agencies and international conventions. Abbas pledged to suspend such efforts during negotiations with Israel, but said he was compelled to act because Israel had not carried out a promised release of Palestinian prisoners.

Lufthansa pilots strike

The German carrier Lufthansa has cancelled around 3,800 flights from today until Friday after its pilots called a strike over an early retirement scheme. The airline said over 400,000 passengers would be affected by the stoppage.

Malaysia ‘mystery’ may not be solved

Malaysia’s police chief Khalid Abu Bakar has said the investigation into the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines' flight 370 on March 8th may never find the true cause. No wreckage from the plane has been detected, despite a massive international hunt in the southern Indian Ocean.

The weather

Warm, with a mix of cloud and sunshine. Scattered rain and thundershowers and top temperatures 15 to 23 degrees.

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