News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

30 killed in Sinai Peninsula attacks

At least 30 people, mostly soldiers, have been killed in a series of attacks by Islamist militants in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. An organisation linked to the Islamic State group says it was responsible for the violence which included a car bomb and mortar fire. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has cut short a visit to Ethiopia in the wake of the attacks.

Eurogroup head in Athens

The head of the Eurozone finance ministers' group Jeroen Dijsselbloem is meeting the new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens today for talks which will mark the start of Greece's negotiations on its international bailout. The ruling Syriza party won last week-end's election with a promise to end austerity measures and re-negotiate its rescue package. Political scientist Emmanuel Sigalas says several measures are needed to boost the country's weak economy: "the Greek economy has to become more competitive. They have to be more productive, they have to rely more on technological innovation, investment in research and development."

Dozens killed in Iraq attacks

Reports coming out of Iraq say between 20 and 44 people have been killed in bomb attacks in the capital Baghdad and the city of Samarra. Two of the blasts in Baghdad hit a market.

20 killed in Pakistan bomb blast

Officials in Pakistan say at least 20 people have been killed in a bomb blast at a Shia mosque in the south of the country. Dozens were wounded in the attack which happened after Friday prayers, many of them are reported to be in a critical condition.

Srebrenica ruling

A judge at the UN war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has upheld the convictions of five men for their role in the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. Sentences for four of the men, who were high-ranking officials in the Bosnian Serb Army, were also confirmed. They had appealed against their convictions in 2010 for a range of crimes including genocide.

Heavy fighting in Ukraine

There's been continued intense fighting between government forces and pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine. According to reports, at least 12 civilians and 5 Ukrainian troops have been killed in the past 24 hours.

Protests against Freedom Party ball

Turning to Austrian news and several demonstrations and rallies have been announced for this evening in central Vienna in protest at the controversial Akademiker Ball which is organised by the Freedom Party. Around two and a half thousand police will be on duty.

The weather

Cloudy with occasional snowfall. Conditions may improve a bit in the West and North. But there’ll be sleet and rain in the lower-lying areas. A strong wind and highs between minus 4 and plus 4 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English