News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Biden reassures Ukraine of US support

US Vice President Joe Biden has reiterated Washington's support for the new Ukrainian government, saying on a visit to Kiev, that the US would help Ukraine overcome what he called daunting problems and humiliating threats. “The opportunity to generate a united Ukraine, getting it right, is within your grasp. We want to be your partner, your friend in the project and we’re ready to assist.” Russia has urged the US to ensure that Ukraine implements an agreement reached last week, aimed at easing tensions with Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

Over 100 dead in South Korean ferry disaster

Officials in South Korea say over 100 bodies have now been recovered from a ferry, which sank last week off the country's south coast. Almost 200 people are still missing, many of them high school students. Ko Myung-seouk from the Korean Coast Guard says better weather conditions are assisting divers in the recovery effort. “As we reported before we found a lot of passengers in the lounge. Our next objective is to get into the dining hall, which we haven’t succeeded in doing so far. But we’re almost there.”

War shrine visit prompts anger at Japan

Almost 150 members of the Japanese parliament have visited a controversial war shrine, further straining ties with China and South Korea. The Yasukuni shrine commemorates Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals from World War Two. The row comes one day before US president Barak Obama begins a visit to Japan.

West and UN criticise Syrian election plan

The United Nations has joined western nations in condemning plans by Syria to hold presidential elections at the beginning of June. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said the poll could set back efforts to end the three year uprising in Syria against the rule of President Bashar al Asad. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki meanwhile says the US is looking into claims that the Syrian government used chemical weapons in the village of Kafr Zita. “We take all allegations of the use of chemicals in combat use very seriously. We’re working to determine what has happened and we will continue consulting and sharing information with key partners.”

Polish leader calls for EU energy union

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for an EU energy union, to wean the bloc's dependence on Russian gas, in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. In an interview with the Financial Times newspaper, Tusk said the EU needed to set up a centralised energy body to strengthen its purchasing power, diversify supply, and share resources.

Rebels deny ethnic slaughter in South Sudan

Rebels in South Sudan have rejected allegations made by the United Nations that they killed over 200 civilians in an ethnically motivated attack last week. A rebel spokesman said the civilians were killed by government forces, after rebel fighters took control of the oil rich town of Bentiu.

The Weather

Changeable conditions are set to continue this afternoon, with the chance of showers increasing. Top temperatures will range from 13 to 22 degrees.

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