News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Pistorius sentenced to 5 years

The South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide last month, but cleared of murder. Judge Thokozile Masipa delivered the sentence at the Pretoria High Court: "the following is what I consider to be a sentence that is fairand just both to society and to the accused. Count one: culpable homicide: the sentence imposed is the maximum imprisonment of five years." Pistorius was also given a three-year suspended jail term for a separate firearms offence.

Hong Kong talks begin

The government in Hong Kong is holding talks with student leaders in the wake of the pro-democracy protests. Representatives of the demonstrators are calling for electoral reform which would enable a free vote when Hong Kong chooses its next leader in 2017. Officials have previously rejected the proposal.

Ebola-hit nations get key supplies

The President of Ghana John Mahama says supplies and resources needed to tackle the Ebola crisis in West Africa are beginning to arrive in the three worst-hit countries: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Mahama, who heads the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, also said that treatment centres were being set up in those countries. The outbreak has killed more than 4,500 people.

New trekking rules in Nepal

Officials in Nepal say they plan to introduce new rules following last week's trekking disaster in which over 40 people lost their lives. The tragedy happened when a blizzard and avalanches swept through the mountains in the north of the country. Tourism officials say in future, hikers who go on mountain trails will be required to take trained local guides, and will have to rent a GPS tracking unit to help authorities trace them in case of an emergency. They also say they're working on improving weather forecasts.

Total CEO dies in Moscow air crash

The chief executive of the French Oil giant Total has died in an air crash in Moscow. Christophe de Margerie's corporate jet collided with a snow plough and burst into flames. All four people on board were killed. Russian investigators say visibility was bad and that the driver of the snow plough was drunk.

Oscar de la Renta dies

The fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, known for dressing American first ladies and Hollywood stars, has died at the age of 82. He'd been diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Born in the Dominican Republic, he left home at 18 to study painting in Madrid.

The weather

A mix of cloud and sunshine with a few showers with highs ranging between 13 and 21 degrees. And a warning that tonight will bring stormy weather with heavy rain, snowfall and strong winds of around 100 kilometres per hour.

Übersicht

• News In English