News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Nepal in “desperate need” after quake

The United Nations has said 8 million people have been affected by the massive earthquake which struck Nepal on Saturday and that over 1.4 million are in need of assistance. The official death toll from the quake now stands at over 4,300. Nepal’s prime minister, Sushil Koirala, has warned that the number killed in the earthquake could more than double to 10,000 people. He said there is a desperate need for food, water, tents and medical care. A major international aid effort is underway but Nepalese officials say little help has yet reached remote areas where up to 90% of the population are estimated to need assistance. Matt Darvas from the aid group World Vision is in Ghorka near the quake epicentre: “I am hearing horrific stories from some of the survivors in the villages and people that have had very limited contact. It is true that they are struggling to coordinate the aid.”

Riots hit Baltimore

In the United States, a state of emergency and a night curfew have been declared in the city of Baltimore, after intense rioting broke out following the funeral service for Freddie Gray - a young black man who died last week of injuries sustained while in police custody. Officials said it was the worst violence in Baltimore in half a century. Troops from the US National Guard are being deployed in the city.

Indonesia prepares for executions

Indonesian authorities are continuing preparations for the execution of nine people convicted of drug smuggling. Eight of them are foreign nationals. Families of the convicted have been allowed final visits. Indonesia has repeatedly rejected appeals for clemency.

Greek PM confident on bailout

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras has said he is confident a deal can soon be reached with international creditors on the country’s bailout. Tsipras also suggested he would call a referendum if lenders continue to insist on demands his radical left government cannot accept.

Massacre in north Nigeria

Reports from Nigeria say hundreds of people have been found dead in the north-east town of Damasak. They appear to be victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Sewol captain given life sentence

An appeals court in South Korea has found the captain of the Sewol ferry which sank a year ago guilty of murder. He has been sentenced to life in prison, overturning an earlier conviction for negligence and a 36 year sentence. More than 300 people, most of them school children, died in the disaster.

The weather

Increasingly cloudy with rain and thundershowers. Stormy winds and top temperatures falling to between 5 and 20 degrees.

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