News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

US and Russia to discuss Syria strategy

US and Russian diplomats say they will hold talks as soon as possible over co-ordinating military strategy in Syria. Russian officials say their aircraft carried out about 20 missions against Islamic State group targets yesterday and there have been reports of further strikes today. A spokesman for President Vladimir Putin says the airstrikes are also targeting other groups but hasn't specified which, adding that Russian targets are being chosen in coordination with Syrian government forces. US officials have cast doubt on Moscow's claim that IS was being targeted, saying yesterday's air strikes appeared to be attacking opposition groups fighting President Assad's forces.

Fighting continues in Kunduz

Afghan officials say they have regained control of key areas of the northern city of Kunduz from the Taliban, 3 days after the insurgents swept into the city. They said an operation launched overnight had resulted in the re-capturing of government landmarks. However the Taliban say they still control large parts of the city. Fatima Aziz, a member of parliament for the area, says there are still pockets of resistance: "the chief of police confirmed that government forces have re-captured most parts of Kunduz city from the Taliban. The Taliban are still resisting but are slowly being pushed out of the city."

Explosion in southern China

The authorities in China are investigating another explosion in the southern province of Guangxi, a day after a series of blasts killed 7 people. Yesterday's explosions are believed to have been caused by parcel bombs which were sent to a number of different addresses including a prison and a hospital. It's unclear whether today's blast was connected to yesterday's multiple explosions.

Iran raises death toll from Haj disaster

Iran says the number of its citizens who died in a crush at the Hajj in Saudi Arabia last week has reached 464 - nearly double the previous toll. Tehran says the total death toll from the tragedy is more than 1,000. The Saudi government has been criticised over its handling of the disaster.

UN urges greater effort to stop conflicts

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for greater efforts to prevent and stop conflict and persecution. And speaking at a meeting held on the side-lines of the UN General Assembly, he said the world must be better prepared to deal with refugees seeking protection, adding that the top priority must be saving lives, giving refugees the right to seek asylum and improving reception centres and asylum systems.

The weather

Much of Austria will have a sunny afternoon, but staying overcast in eastern Tyrol, Carinthia, Lungau and western Styria. A strong wind at times and highs mostly between 9 and 19 degrees.

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