News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

IS seizes ancient Syrian city of Palmyra

The Islamic State group says it is in complete control of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, one of the Middle East's most famous UNESCO heritage sites which is home to renowned Roman ruins. The Syrian interior minister Mohammad al-Shaar says officials removed many priceless artefacts in the past few days: "We will make all possible efforts to maintain this large stock of antiquities. It is of the greatest importance because this is the inheritance for the nation and for humanity." The Islamic State group is now said to be in control of half of Syria.

Malaysia orders migrant boat rescues

The Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak says he´s ordered the navy and coastguard to conduct search and rescue missions in the Andaman Sea, where some 7,000 migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh are believed to be stranded. Foreign ministers from Malaysia and Indonesia are in Myanmar for talks on the migrant crisis.

EU summit with Eastern Partnership countries

European Union leaders are beginning a two day summit later today in the Latvian capital Riga with the heads of the Eastern Partnership countries, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus. The talks are expected to be overshadowed by continuing tensions with Russia over Ukraine, and Russian opposition to closer ties between the EU and its former Soviet Republics.

German train strike suspended

Train drivers in Germany have announced they are suspending a long-running series of strikes, after agreeing to take a dispute over negotiating rights with rail operator Deutsche Bahn to arbitration. The stoppages by the GDL union have hit commuters and cost the industry millions of euros daily.

US publishes bin Laden documents

Intelligence officials in the United States have released over 100 documents seized in Pakistan during the raid in 2011 which killed the al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. During his years in hiding, bin Laden urged followers to concentrate on attacking Americans and wrote bittersweet letters to one of his wives and his children.

Oil spill emergency in California

A state of emergency has been declared in southern California after two oil slicks, stretching some 15 kilometres, formed off the coast. The oil slick near Santa Barbara was caused by a ruptured onshore pipeline. It´s feared 400,000 litres of oil may have been spilled.

Qatar criticised over migrant workers

The rights group Amnesty International says Qatar has done little to improve conditions for 1.5 million migrant workers as the country prepares to host the 2022 World Cup, despite promising reform last year. In a briefing Amnesty said that football's governing body FIFA had a "clear responsibility" to put pressure on the Qatari authorities to do more.

The weather

Generally overcast with some rain, especially in the west, and snow in the mountains. Top temperatures from 6 in most Alpine valleys to 17 in the east.

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