News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Nato warns Russia over Syria

Nato defence ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss concerns over Russia’s growing military involvement in the conflict in Syria. Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance is ready to defend Turkey after violations of Turkish airspace by Russian jets. He also called on Russia to stop attacks on moderate rebels fighting Moscow’s ally, Syrian president Bashar Assad: “I call on Russia to play a constructive and cooperative role in the fight against Isis, because to support the regime is not a constructive contribution to a peaceful and lasting political solution in Syria.”

Russia defends Syrian campaign

Russia has said its air campaign in Syria, including the use of cruise missiles for the first time, has targeted the Islamic State terror group, but analysts say the majority of Russian attacks have not been against IS positions. In Syria government forces have begun a major new offensive, backed by Russian air attacks, in the strategically important Ghab Plain in the west of the country. An alliance of rebel groups including al Qaeda's Nusra Front had advanced into the area in late July.

EU considers speedier deportations

European Union interior ministers are in Brussels to discuss speeding up the deportation of people refused asylum, as they try to cope with the surge in refugees from Syria. Ministers reportedly hope the deportations by member states will deter illegal migrants. They are also to discuss how to exert more pressure on African and other poor countries to make them accept the return of people refused entry to Europe.

VW US chief before Congress

The head of car maker Volkswagen in the United States, Michael Horn, appears before Congress today where he is expected to apologise over cheating on emissions tests. In prepared remarks already released, Horn says he was told early last year about possible emissions non-compliance that could be remedied.

FIFA bans Platter

FIFA’s ethics committee has provisionally banned president Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini for 90 days from all football activities, in the wake of a Swiss criminal investigation. The ban is with immediate effect.

Rousseff may face impeachment

A court in Brazil has ruled that President Dilma Rousseff's government manipulated its accounts last year to disguise budget shortfalls as she campaigned for re-election. The court ruling opens the way for Rousseff’s opponents to try to impeach her.

Obama apologises over Kunduz attack

United States President Barack Obama has apologised to the aid group Doctors Without Borders for a US military attack that killed 22 staff and patients at its hospital in Kunduz in Afghanistan. The group is demanding an independent international inquiry.

The weather

Mainly cloudy. Scattered showers especially in the east. Some sun in the west. Top temperatures 9 to 17 degrees.

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