News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Germany backs Syria anti-IS mission

Germany's parliament has approved plans to support international airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants in Syria. The vote ended with 445 lawmakers for the motion and 146 against. Germany will send reconnaissance aircraft, a naval frigate and 1,200 soldiers to the region. But German forces will not engage in combat.

California shooting investigation : terror motive

Police in California are continuing their investigation into Wednesday’s shooting rampage in San Bernardino, which left 14 people dead and around 20 injured. The heavily-armed assailants, Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik, were killed in a shootout with police. Bomb equipment, weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition were later found in the couple’s home. The former FBI agent, David Gomez, says it’s looking increasingly certain that terrorism was behind the killings: “Now we’re beginning to see a pattern of activity that will lead the FBI to believe that there may have influence from international aspects of terrorism – whether Al Qaeda or ISIS. That’s where they’re leading.”

Denmark votes No in EU border rules referendum

Denmark has taken a step away from the European Union by rejecting proposals to adopt more EU legislation aimed at improving cross-border law enforcement. In a referendum on the EU's justice and home affairs rules, the NO campaign won with nearly 54-percent of the vote. It’s a political setback for the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen. He campaigned for a YES vote but says he respects the decision of the Danish people: “The reason why the Danes have refused to choose what we have proposed is probably that there’s this feeling of uncertainty. Also given the fact that Europe is right now faced with other major problems… the refugee crisis etc.”

Cairo nightclub attack kills 16

Egyptian officials say at least 16 people have been killed in the capital, Cairo, after firebombs were thrown into a night club. Egyptian police believe the assailants were disgruntled former employees and the attack was not related to terrorism.

US charges 16 more FIFA officials

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced charges against 16 more football officials, as part of its ongoing investigation into corruption at the sport's world governing body, FIFA. The new indictments came hours after the arrest of two FIFA vice-presidents in Zurich. The U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch says she is determined to see justice served: “The message from this announcement should be clear to every culpable individual who remains in the shadows hoping to evade this ongoing investigation. You will not wait us out and you will not escape our focus.”

The weather

This afternoon’s weather: the south and east will see the most of any sunshine. But elsewhere, increasing cloud will bring some rain by this evening. Highs are ranging from 3 to 14 degrees.

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