News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Al-Qaeda leader killed in US air strike

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has confirmed that its leader, Nasser al-Wuhaishi, has been killed in a US air strike in Yemen. Analysts say it´s a major blow for the group's strongest branch and the most significant victory against al-Qaeda since Osama bin Laden's death in Pakistan in 2011. Al-Wuhaishi led the group as it claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. A Yemeni citizen, he acted as Bin Laden´s aide and managed his finances and personal issues. In 2010, the UN Security Council named him as one of the most dangerous members of the armed group.

EU ministers discuss migrant crisis

European Union interior ministers are meeting today in Luxembourg to discuss plans to distribute more evenly the thousands of asylum seekers who´ve made it to Italy and Greece. Italy says that without an agreement it will adopt a "Plan B" that would quote "hurt" Europe. Sandro Gozi is the Italian under Secretary for European Affairs: "If this doesn´t happen, if Europe is not consistent with its policy in this field, it is clear that we will free to radically change our attitude towards the union, maybe in sectors which are sensitive and important for other member states."

Austrian Chancellor in Athens for talks

The Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann has called for a five year payment stop for Greece, following a meeting in Athens with the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. The meeting, coordinated with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, was aimed at heading off a Greek exit from the euro. Talks with Greek and EU officials in Brussels on Sunday failed to reach an agreement that would release additional bailout funds.

Egyptian court upholds Mursi death sentence

An Egyptian court has upheld the death sentence for the former President Mohamed Mursi in relation to a mass jailbreak in 2011. He was earlier sentenced to 25 years in prison for spying for the Palestinian and Lebanese groups Hamas and Hezbollah, and Iran.

Syrian Kurds seize IS-held town

Syrian Kurdish fighters say they have taken control of the town of Tal Abyad, cutting off a major supply route for the Islamic State group. The advance by the Kurdish Popular Protection Units has been supported by Syrian rebel groups and air strikes by the US-led coalition. The fighting has prompted over 20,000 civilians to flee into neighbouring Turkey.

Wanted Sudanese leader avoids arrest

The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has returned to Khartoum from South Africa, avoiding arrest over war crimes charges. Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges linked to the conflict in Sudan´s Darfur region.

The Weather

Rain in the Alps and the south, a mix of sunshine and cloud in the north and east. Highs today from 13 to 24.

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