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8. April 2017, 21:58

Images show Boko Haram ´destruction`

Amnesty International has released satellite images showing what it calls the 'catastrophic destruction' of two Nigerian towns last week. The before and after images of Baga and Doron Baga show the devastating effect of the attacks by Boko Haram which left nearly 4,000 structures damaged or completely destroyed. Amnesty spokesman Steve Crawshaw: "You can see whole areas between the few days just before the massacre began and just after. You can see that whole areas have been destroyed and burnt out. You can also see on the lake, Lake Chad, where people tried to flee and you can see that all the boats are now gone. But above all, that destruction is very clearly visible from the air." Amnesty has disputed government claims that 150 people died in the violence, saying the figure´s more likely close to 2,000.

FBI foils Washington plot

The FBI has arrested a man in Ohio for allegedly planning to attack the US Capitol building in Washington. 20-year-old Christopher Cornell was arrested by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force after buying two M-15 semi-automatic rifles and 600 rounds of ammunition. Cornell came to the attention of the FBI after tweeting support for extremist groups like Islamic State.

Hollande vows to protect all religions

President Francois Hollande has vowed to protect all religions and says Islam is compatible with democracy. Speaking at the Arab World Institute in Paris in the wake of last week´s terror attacks in France, Hollande said secularism respected all religions. He also said radical Islam was fuelled by unsolved conflicts around the world and Muslims were the first victims of fanaticism, fundamentalism and intolerance.

Yemenis transferred from Guantanamo

Five men from Yemen held at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for more than a decade have reportedly been transferred to foreign custody. US officials say four were sent to Oman and one to Estonia. All were captured in Pakistan as suspected al-Qaeda fighters.

Scores missing from ship in CAR

Officials say 100 people are missing after a ship went down on a river in the Central African Republic. The ship reportedly sank after an explosion and fire on board.

The Pope arrives in the Philippines

Pope Francis has arrived in the Philippines´ capital Manila, amid one of the biggest security operations in the country's history. Francis will also be visiting the eastern city of Tacloban to meet survivors of Typhoon Haiyan that devastated the area in 2013.

Swiss franc soars in value

The Swiss franc has soared some 30% in chaotic trading as the central bank abandoned the country's cap on the currency's value against the euro. The Swiss National Bank said the cap, introduced in 2011, is no longer justified in the light of the Euros recent decline in global markets.

The weather

A mix of sunshine and cloud with föhn winds in the Alps. Top temperatures from 0 to 12.

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