News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Ferguson ruling sparks riots

There's been a furious response to the decision by a Grand Jury in the US state of Missouri not to bring charges against a white policeman over the fatal shooting of the unarmed black teenager Michael Brown in August. Shops were vandalised and several cars and buildings were set ablaze in Ferguson. Police responded with tear gas. 29 people were arrested. Michael Brown's family said they were profoundly disappointed with the Grand Jury's decision. President Barack Obama has appealed for calm: "first and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law and so we need to accept that this decision was the Grand Jury's to make. There are Americans who agree with it and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry. It's an understandable reaction. But I join Michael's parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do so peacefully." Thousands of people took part in other protests across the country with marches in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York.

Pope addresses EU parliament

Pope Francis has been delivering his first public speech about Europe. During the address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he said more should be done to help the thousands of migrants who risk their lives trying to reach Europe. He also called for more action on job creation. And he said there was a distrust of EU institutions: "in recent years, it can be seen that as the European Union has expanded, there has been a growing mistrust on the part of citizens towards institutions which they regard as aloof."

France optimistic over Iran talks

The French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says the latest round of international talks over Iran's nuclear programme have been "positive" and that progress had been made on key issues including the country's capacity to enrich uranium. The negotiations in Vienna were adjourned yesterday. They'll be resumed next month under a new deadline which has been set for next June.

Protest camp cleared in Hong Kong

The authorities in Hong Kong have cleared part of a pro-democracy protest camp following a court order to re-open a road in the district of Mong Kok. A number of protestors were detained.

13 killed in building collapse in Cairo

Police in the Egyptian capital Cairo say at least 13 people have been killed in the collapse of a 7-storey building. Rescue teams are searching for survivors trapped under the rubble. It's thought unauthorised construction work may have caused the disaster.

The weather

It'll be mostly overcast through fog or cloud with drizzle or a bit of snow in places. There'll be some occasional sunshine in the mountains. Highs are ranging between zero and 7 degrees, in the West up to 14.

Übersicht

• News In English