News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Ukraine talks in Belarus

Officials have arrived in Belarus for talks on the crisis in Ukraine. Representatives from Kiev, Russia, pro-Russia separatist groups and the OSCE are to discuss a ceasefire which would pave the way for a peace plan. Meanwhile, reports coming out of eastern Ukraine say there's been renewed heavy fighting between the army and rebels near the port city of Mariupol. Ukraine is one of the issues which is continuing to dominate a NATO summit in Wales. The US and the EU have threatened to impose further sanctions on Moscow in the event that the talks and ceasefire fail. The summit is also discussing the threat posed by the Islamic State group which has captured large areas of Iraq and Syria. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen: "in a dangerous world, we must continue to respond to these multiple challenges with unity and with strength."

Experts discuss Ebola treatment

Health experts have been meeting in Geneva to discuss the potential effectiveness of new treatments for Ebola. The virus has claimed nearly 2,000 lives in West Africa since the beginning of the year. The head of the US Agency for International Development Dr Rajiv Shah says additional funding is being sent to those countries which have been worst hit by the outbreak: "additional resources will enable 1,000 beds to be placed on the ground and scaled-up treatment. It will also allow for a significant expansion of the effort to reduce transmission."

UN report on child abuse

The UN's children's agency UNICEF says children around the world are routinely exposed to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. In a new report, it said a fifth of all murder victims are under 20 years old and that about 120 million girls have been sexually assaulted. The report was based on data from 190 countries.

Strike at Lufthansa

Pilots at the German carrier Lufthansa have announced a 6-hour strike for later today in a dispute over early retirement. The move will affect short and medium-haul flights leaving Frankfurt airport. Lufthansa says over 200 flights will be affected, involving around 25,000 passengers.

Mine collapse in Bosnia

Rescue teams in Bosnia have started to bring out 34 miners who'd been trapped inside a coal mine which collapsed yesterday evening. Two tunnels caved in following a gas explosion which is thought to have been triggered by a small earthquake in the region.

The weather

Some sunshine, especially in the north and east. But cloud and thundery showers are also forecast especially in the mountain regions. Highs this afternoon - depending on where the sun's out - will be ranging between 16 and 24 degrees, in the north and east up to 26.

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