News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

UN documents ‘staggering’ civilian deaths in Iraq

The United Nations says almost 19 thousand civilians were killed in Iraq from the start of 2014 until the end of October last year, with another 3.2 million displaced. In a new report, the UN describes the killings as staggering. It also documents a range of human rights abuses in Iraq, accusing the so called Islamic State militant group of systematic violence and holding women and children as slaves.

Lowest economic growth in China in 25 years

China has recorded its lowest economic growth in 25 years, with new figures showing growth of 6.9 percent last year, compared to 7.3 percent in 2014. The figure is in line with the Chinese government's target of 7 percent, as it seeks to rebalance the economy, however concerns persist about a Chinese slowdown. Dr Qian Liu from the Economics Intelligence Unit in Beijing, says the underlying figures show mixed results. “A lot of the numbers we’re seeing is(sic) telling us that the real economy is under a lot of stress. That said, there are also bright spots like in the new economy, especially for the service sector.”

At least 10 die in suicide bombing in Pakistan

Police in Pakistan say at least 10 people have been killed and 20 wounded in a suicide bombing at a police checkpoint in the north-west of the country. The bomber was reportedly riding a motorcycle laden with explosives. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred in a tribal area on the outskirts of the city of Peshawar.

New unity government announced in Libya

Libya's rival administrations have announced the formation of a government of national unity, in an effort to stem the chaos which has engulfed the country since the toppling of strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. A new 32 member cabinet has been named under the UN brokered deal.

Amnesty criticises tech firms over child labour

The human rights group Amnesty International has accused global technology firms such as Apple, Samsung and Sony of failing to ensure that cobalt mined by children is not used in their products. A report by the organisation found that children as young as seven were mining cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mark Dummett is an Amnesty spokesman. “They don’t go underground but they work on the surface of these mines collecting rocks, breaking rocks, sorting and crushing rocks. And we’re talking about boys and girls from impoverished families who complain about being hungry all day; they work to survive, to eat.”

EU refugee hotpots operational in 4 weeks

The European Union's Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos says registration points for refugees at the EU's external borders should be operational within the next 4 weeks. Under current plans, all new arrivals will be fingerprinted and processed at the so called hotspots and then distributed to other countries. Avramopoulos says the flow of refugees and migrants is likely to increase in the coming months and has called on political leaders to act quickly.

The Weather

Conditions will remain changeable this afternoon, with some sunny periods and the chance of snow showers in the west. Top temperatures will range from -8 to +2 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English