News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon

The UN's refugee agency says the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has now exceeded 1 million. The UNHCR says the crisis has become a huge burden for the country. Nanette Kelly is the Lebanon representative for the UNHCR: "we have a million people now whose lives have been torn apart - half a million of them are children. All these people - they've lost their homes, their family members, their hopes for a better future. And for Lebanon itself, the country is really struggling under the strain of this increased pressure."

Riot police accused in Kiev deaths

Security chiefs in Ukraine say the killing of dozens of anti-government protestors in Kiev in February took place "under the direct leadership" of the ousted President Viktor Yanukovych. The allegations were made during a news conference by the prosecutor general and heads of the interior ministry and state security. They said an elite riot police unit had carried out the shootings.

Soldier kills 3 at US army base

In the US, a soldier has shot dead three colleagues and injured 16 others before killing himself at the US Army's Fort Hood base in Texas. Officials say the gunman had served in Iraq and had mental health problems. In 2009, 13 soldiers were killed and over 30 wounded in another gun attack at the same base. President Barack Obama: "many of the people there have been through multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. They serve with valour and they serve with distinction. When they're at their home base they need to feel safe. That sense of safety has been broken once again."

Second earthquake in Chile

Another earthquake has struck off northern Chile, prompting evacuations along the coast and in neighbouring Peru. Measuring 7.6, it was the strongest of several aftershocks that followed yesterday's tremor in the same region. There've been no reports of serious damage.

IMF head calls for bold policies

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has called for action to boost the global economy's fragile recovery. Lagarde said that as the world is still struggling to emerge from the 2008 financial crisis, bold policies were needed to support growth.

Bomb targets Musharraf’s convoy

Officials in Pakistan say a bomb has exploded along the convoy route of the country's former military ruler, Pervez Musharraf. Musharraf is currently on trial for treason. Police say an explosive device under a bridge had gone off about 20 minutes before the convoy was due to pass. No casualties have been reported.

The weather

A mainly sunny afternoon with some cloud about. Highs are ranging generally between 15 and 23 degrees, up to 25 in places in the West.

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