News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Israel and Hamas intensify attacks

The US President Barack Obama has urged both sides in the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestinians in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip to show restraint. Earlier the US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki defended the Israeli military action in Gaza: “No country can accept rocket fire aimed at civilians and we certainly support Israel´s right to defend itself against these attacks.”Rocket attacks by Gaza militants have targeted Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israel says it has carried out air strikes on 160 targets in Gaza overnight. 25 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, among them women and children. Scores have been wounded. Raji Sourani is the director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights: “Obviously Israel (is) trying to pressure political leadership by pressuring the civilians and inflicting pain and terror.”

US and China to improve cooperation

The United States and China have vowed to improve their economic and security cooperation, saying they wouldn't let persistent differences over maritime claims, cyber-hacking and currency hamper a relationship critical to global peace and prosperity. Opening the annual "Strategic and Economic Dialogue" in Beijing, the Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need to avoid confrontation. The US delegation is being led by Secretary of State John Kerry, who said that America was not seeking to "contain" China.

Close Indonesian presidential vote

Votes are being counted in Indonesia´s presidential election, after a very close race. Early results suggest the governor of Jakarta, Joko Widodo, who has widespread popular support, leads his rival, Prabowo Subianto, a retired general who´s linked to Indonesia´s former president Suharto. Both men are claiming victory.

Greek public sector workers strike

Public sector workers in Greece have begun a twenty-four hour strike in protest at continuing cuts in government spending. The workers are protesting against austerity measures imposed as a condition of a 240bn-euro bailout, including a 40% reduction to salaries and pensions. 9,000 public sector jobs have also been cut and a further 6,000 are to go by the end of the year.

Germany humiliates World Cup hosts Brazil

Brazil has suffered one of the most embarrassing World Cup defeats ever, as Germany thrashed the hosts 7-1 to reach the final. It was Brazil´s first competitive home defeat in 39 years, and the end of their hopes of making it to the World Cup final on Sunday. Instead, Germany will meet either Argentina or the Netherlands, who play on Wednesday in Sao Paulo.

The weather

Wet and cool in the west, a mix of sun and showers in the east and south. Highs today from 11 to 23.

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