News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Three separatists die in Ukraine clashes

Ukrainian officials have said three pro-Russian militants were killed and 13 injured in clashes with Ukrainian troops in the Black Sea port of Mariupol last night. Interior minister Arsen Avakov said the separatist forces died during an attempt to storm a Ukrainian military base. Pro-Russian forces continue to hold government buildings in towns and cities across east Ukraine despite the Kiev government’s decision to launch military action to quell the unrest.

Putin denies east Ukraine involvement

Russian president Vladimir Putin in an annual phone-in on television has denied Russian special forces are behind the turmoil in Ukraine’s east: “There are no Russian units in eastern Ukraine, no such special services. These are all local residents. I told my western partners, there is nowhere for them to go, they won’t leave, and you should talk to them.” Putin said he hopes he will not have to use what he called his right to send Russian troops into Ukraine. He also said Moscow’s intervention in Crimea last month was influenced by Nato enlargement into the Black Sea region.

International talks on Ukraine

The first four way talks between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union since the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine are being held in Geneva. The US has warned Russia it will face new sanctions if it supports further steps to destabilise Ukraine.

South Korea search continues

Bad weather and poor visibility are hampering the search for nearly 300 people still missing after a ferry capsized off the coast of South Korea yesterday. Many of the missing are believed to be high school students. Nine people are confirmed dead.

Nigeria abductions unclear

The fate of more than 100 school girls abducted by suspected Islamist militants in the north east of Nigeria remains unclear. Parents of the girls have disputed statements from the military that most of them had escaped their abductors.

Algeria holds presidential election

Algerians are voting in a presidential election widely expected to return the incumbent, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to power for a fourth term despite his poor health. A group of opposition parties is boycotting the election, saying it is a sham and Bouteflika is incapable of bringing in necessary reforms.

UN warns of famine in South Sudan

United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon is warning that up to a million people face famine in South Sudan unless the world takes immediate action. Ban said continuing conflict between supporters of President Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar has already led to widespread malnutrition.

The weather

Mainly sunny, some cloud and lively winds in the east, top temperatures 8 to 16 degrees.

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