News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Obama hails Iran nuclear deal

After months of difficult negotiations, Iran and six world powers have reached a framework agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Under the deal, restrictions will be imposed on Iran's nuclear facilities to make it difficult to develop nuclear weapons, in exchange for the gradual lifting of western sanctions. The two sides have given themselves until the end of June to finalise the details. US president Barak Obama hailed what he described as a historic understanding. “After many months of tough, principled diplomacy, we have achieved the framework for that deal. And it is a good deal; a deal that meets our core objectives. This framework would cut off every pathway that Iran could take to develop a nuclear weapon.”

New evidence of deliberate Germanwings crash

Investigators in France studying the flight data recorder from a Germanwings aircraft, which was recovered yesterday in the French Alps, say it appears as though the plane was deliberately crashed, killing all 150 people on board. German prosecutors say the co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, who is believed to have been controlling the aircraft, had researched suicide methods and cockpit security on his tablet computer.

UN condemns attack on Kenyan university

The United Nations has strongly condemned an attack on a university campus in eastern Kenya yesterday that claimed at least 147 lives. Gunmen belonging to the Somali militant group al-Shabab stormed Garissa University, singling out non-Muslims and shooting them during a 13 hour siege. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has promised to confront the threat posed by al-Shabab. “This is a moment for everyone throughout the country to be vigilant as we confront and defeat our enemies.”

Senior Chinese figure charged with corruption

One of China's most powerful political figures has reportedly been charged with bribery, abuse of power and disclosing state secrets. Former security chief Zhou Yongkang is accused of using his vast political influence and contacts in the oil industry to illegally acquire property and other assets. China's President Xi Jinping has made tackling corruption a priority since taking office in 2012.

Yemeni rebels withdraw from Aden

Reports coming out of Yemen say Houthi rebels fighters have withdrawn from a suburb of the southern city of Aden, after losing two tanks during overnight clashes. Saudi Arabia, which has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis, says it has dropped arms to forces loyal to Yemen's president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who are defending the city.

French media probed over Paris terror attacks

French police are investigating allegations that media coverage of the terror attacks in Paris in January, may have put the lives of hostages at risk. One of the attackers, Amedy Coulibaly is believed to have been watching television reports, as the drama at a kosher supermarket unfolded.

The weather

There'll be plenty of sunshine in the south this afternoon with changeable conditions elsewhere. Top temperatures will range from 4 to 12 degrees.

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