News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Balkans flooding claims 45 lives

Serbia and Bosnia have called for international help after the worst flooding since modern records began 120 years ago. At least 45 people have been killed, but the death toll is expected to rise. Waters are now beginning to recede, but officials say that the threat of landslides is an ever-present problem, as are difficulties caused by unexploded landmines from the Bosnian war in the 1990s. Serbia's main power plant is still said to be at risk of flooding. Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes.

Putin orders Ukraine border pull-out

It´s being reported that the Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops deployed in regions close to Ukraine to return to their permanent bases. The West has criticized Russia for deploying some 40,000 troops near the Ukrainian border. NATO says it has seen no sign of the Russian personnel returning to base. President Putin is expected to discuss Ukraine with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday.

Violence leaves Libya in turmoil

The Libyan government has called for an end to military action in the country following a weekend of deadly violence which culminated in the storming of the parliament building by heavily armed militiamen from the self-declared Libyan National Army. The renegade general Khalifa Hifter, blamed by many for the attack, has said his action was not a coup but that the current government was incapable of controlling the country.

South Korea to disband coastguard

The South Korean President Park Geun-hye has announced plans to disband the country´s coastguard because of its inadequate response to the Sewol ferry disaster in which more than 300 people died. In a televised address, Park apologised formally for the sinking: "I could not sleep properly for the last few days because of my anguish thinking of the pain of the students and the victims. The final responsibility for not dealing with this incident properly is placed on me." A new safety agency is to handle rescue duties.

French rogue trader arrested

The convicted rogue trader Jerome Kerviel has been arrested on returning to France, where he faces a prison term for forgery and breach of trust. Kerviel caused his bank, Societe Generale, losses of 4.9bn euros in 2008. But he gained nationwide support after becoming a crusader against a corrupt financial world. He was detained by police after crossing the border on foot from Italy, ahead of a midnight deadline to begin serving his sentence. Kerviel travelled to Italy to meet the pope and on Saturday appealed to French President Francois Hollande to intervene.

Swiss referenda fail to win support

Voters in Switzerland have rejected proposals to introduce a minimum wage and spend billions on new fighter jets for the country´s military. The proposed wage of 18 euros per hour would have been the highest in the world.

The weather

Mostly sunny, but some cloud and isolated thundery showers in higher lying areas. Lively föhn winds. Top temperatures from 17 to 25.

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