News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Ukraine launches offensive against separatists

The Ukrainian government has launched an operation to regain control of the eastern city of Sloviansk from pro-Russian separatists. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said security forces have surrounded the city. Two Ukrainian helicopter pilots have been killed, while pro-Russian separatists reported one death. In the regional capital Donetsk, a spokesman for the railway says pro-Russian separatists have seized control of the railways control centre, practically stopping all train movement, while Kiev says separatists have given up control of media centres in Lugansk seized on Tuesday.

Russia condemns Ukraine offensive

A statement from the office of Russian president Vladimir Putin has said Ukraine's action against Slavyansk has destroyed the last hope for the viability of the Geneva agreement, meant to defuse the crisis. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Putin has sent his representative to south east Ukraine for talks.

EU demands uniform Russian gas price

European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger has said the EU wants a uniform price for Russian gas for all its member states. Oettinger is holding talks in Warsaw with officials from Russia, Poland and Ukraine after Moscow recently warned of possible shortages for European customers as a consequence of the Ukrainian conflict.

Ukraine to dominate US-German talks

The crisis in Ukraine is expected to dominate talks in Washington between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US president Barack Obama. Meanwhile Merkel has sought to lower expectations that her visit will bring any new steps by the US government to resolve tensions over its surveillance activities in Germany.

Abuja hit in bomb attack

In Nigeria officials say 19 people have been killed and over 60 injured in a bomb attack in the capital Abuja. The Islamist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a similar bombing less than three weeks ago in which over 70 people died. Richard Dowden director of Britain’s Royal Africa Society: “If they’re continually able to hit Abuja they’ll also be able to spread throughout the rest of Nigeria and that really will be very very serious indeed.”

Syria reports car bombings

Syrian state media say at least 18 people including 11 children have been killed in car bombings in the province of Hama. There are unconfirmed reports that a ceasefire agreement has been reached between government forces and rebels in the central city of Homs.

Kerry calls for peace in South Sudan

United States secretary of state John Kerry is in South Sudan where he has called on leaders to end fighting between groups allied to president Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar. Thousands of people have been killed and about 1 million have fled their homes in the violence.

The Weather

Rain and thunder showers in the west. Sunnier in the east and south with showers mainly in mountain areas this afternoon. Top temperatures 10 to 25 degrees.

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