29.04.2015

News in English

Relief effort reaches Nepal villages / Juncker calls for refugee distribution / Indonesia defends drug executions / North Korea “executes Kim opponents” / Baltimore protestors defy curfew / Nigeria frees women, girls / Gazprom profits plunge / Greek reform bill to creditors / The Weather

8. April 2017, 21:58

Relief effort reaches Nepal villages

Emergency relief supplies are beginning to reach some areas at the epicentre of the massive earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday. However many isolated areas have yet to receive aid. In the capital Kathmandu riot police have had to confront crowds angry at the government over what they say is the slow distribution of aid. Over a hundred thousand people are reported to have left the city, with many more trying to leave. Tom Allen from Action Aid International is in Kathmandu: “The local markets are running out of the basics like tarpaulin, food, and water is such an issue. And the main thing is we’re worried about heavy rain which could spread disease and cause further erosion of the buildings here.” At least 5,000 people have been killed in the quake and half a million made homeless.

Juncker calls for refugee distribution

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has called for a system to be introduced that would distribute refugees reaching Europe fairly across EU states. Speaking to the European parliament, Juncker said coping with the huge number of refugees reaching Europe cannot be left to the main countries of arrival, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and especially Italy.

Indonesia defends drug executions

There has been international condemnation of Indonesia’s execution of eight drug offenders by firing squad. Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, has said narcotics are a national emergency that requires an unforgiving response.

North Korea “executes Kim opponents”

South Korea’s intelligence agency says North Korea has executed 15 government officials this year in what may be a purge of opponents of leader Kim Jong Un. One was reportedly a government minister.

Baltimore protestors defy curfew

In the United States police in riot gear drove protestors from the streets of Baltimore last night, after around 200 people defied a curfew to continue demonstrating over the death of a black man in police custody. A week long curfew is in place after the worst riots in fifty years in Baltimore broke out over the death of Freddie Gray.

Nigeria frees women, girls

Nigeria’s military says it has rescued 200 girls and 93 women from a Boko Haram stronghold in north-east Borno state. An army official said those rescued did not include 200 girls kidnapped from Chibok a year ago.

Gazprom profits plunge

Russia’s largest energy company Gazprom has reported a massive fall in annual profits, saying it was a result of foreign exchange losses and the drop in the value of the rouble. It made a net annual profit last year of 3 billion dollars down from 22 billion the year before.

Greek reform bill to creditors

Greek officials say Athens will present draft legislation to its international creditors today in an effort to show it is serious about reform pledges in return for further financial aid. The bill is not expected to offer major new concessions.