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8. April 2017, 21:58

Obama unveils clean energy plan

President Barack Obama has unveiled plans to dramatically cut emissions from US power plants, repeating his warning that climate change will threaten future generations if left unchecked. The revised Clean Power Plan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly a third within 15 years. Obama described it as the single most important step America has ever taken to fight climate change: "This is one of those rare issues, because of its magnitude, because of its scope, that if we don´t get it right we may not be able to reverse." Republicans say the measures are unnecessary and will raise electricity costs. Opponents in the energy industry have vowed to fight the plan.

Controversy over Pakistan execution

Pakistan has executed a man whose case triggered an international outcry after his lawyers said he was arrested as a juvenile and tortured into confessing to a murder. Shafqat Hussain was hanged at a jail in Karachi for allegedly killing a seven-year-old boy in 2004. His lawyers and family say he was only 14 years old at the time of the killing and was forced by police to confess.

Kosovo creates war crimes court

The parliament in Kosovo has voted to change the constitution and create a war crimes court. The move follows pressure from the United States and the European Union. They want to see former members of the now-disbanded Kosovo Liberation Army put on trial for alleged war crimes, including the removal of organs from Serb captives, who were then killed.

A day of losses on the Athens Stock Exchange

Greek stocks were down in early trading, following another near 30 percent plunge in banking stocks. The Greek Stock Exchange sustained record losses on Monday when it reopened following a five-week shut down as investors reacted to continuing questions about a new EU bailout and to Greece´s worsening economy. The Greek government says it expects to conclude a deal with international lenders by August 18.

Catalan leader calls early elections

The president of the Catalan regional government, Artur Mas, has officially called early elections for September 27. Mas says Spain's decision not to allow the region to hold an independence referendum last year left it with no choice but to call elections and use them as a test of public opinion. Spain has ruled out any possibility of secession.

Thousands flee California wildfires

Thousands of people in the US state of California have been advised to leave their homes, as firefighters struggle to contain a series of wildfires. The biggest blaze - the so-called Rocky fire north of San Francisco - has already consumed nearly 150 sq km of land.

The Weather

Mostly sunny, with isolated showers or thunderstorms in the west later. Highs today from 26 to 34.

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