News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

German Nobel winner Grass dies

German author and winner of the Nobel prize for literature, Guenter Grass, has died at the age of 87. Grass rose to world fame with his 1959 anti-Nazi novel, The Tin Drum. Speaking in 2003, Grass said Germany had learned from its wartime experiences: “In Germany we got very heartless. Ironically, if you are losing a war, really losing it, we lost two World Wars, you have no other chance than to learn your lessons.” Grass later revealed he had been a member of the Waffen SS during service in World War Two.

Clinton announces candidacy

The former United States secretary of state Hilary Clinton has launched her campaign to become the first female US president in next year’s election. Clinton must first win the Democratic party nomination, a race she lost to Barack Obama eight years ago. US pollster John Zogby says her nomination is not a foregone conclusion. “Democrats have a very long history of pounding their frontrunners. Most early frontrunners among Democrats have not won the nomination.”

Soma trial opens in Turkey

The trial has opened in Turkey of forty-five managers and employees in connection with the deaths of 301 miners in a fire last May at the Soma mine, Turkey’s worst industrial accident. The government has blocked investigations of any state officials despite claims they failed to oversee safety measures.

Wildfires sweep south Siberia

Russian media are report that wildfires have killed at least 15 people and injured about 400 in southern Siberia. Around 1,200 houses have been destroyed in 30 towns and villages.

Italy reports spike in boat migrants

Italy’s coastguard says there has been a marked rise in the number of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. It says over 5,600 people have been rescued from over 20 vessels in the last few days. At least 480 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean in the first three months of this year.

Syrian forces “bombing Yarmouk”

The head of the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, Pierre Krahenbuhl, has called for safe passage for people wanting to leave the Yarmouk camp near Damascus, amid reports the Syrian army has been carrying out air strikes on the camp. The government has denied the reports.

Le Pen withdraws from regional vote

The founder of the France’s far right National Front, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has said he is pulling out of regional elections. His daughter, and current party leader Marine Le Pen, has opposed his candidacy because of his anti-Semitic and racist remarks.

800,000 children flee homes in Nigeria

The United Nations children’s agency says around 800,000 children have been forced to flee their homes in northeast Nigeria because of the Boko Haram insurgency. A report has been published to mark a year since the militants abducted around 200 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok.

The weather

Warm and partly sunny. Scattered rain and thundershowers. Top temperatures 14 to 24 degrees.

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