News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Militants attack Pakistan university

A group of militants has stormed a university campus in Charsadda, in north-west Pakistan, leaving at least twenty dead and dozens of students and staff injured. Reports said four gunmen armed with suicide bomb vests attacked the Bacha Khan university. All four attackers were killed in a gun battle with security forces.

EU refugee policy at crisis point

The European Commission is considering dropping the rule that asylum seekers must register in the first member country they enter, as part of moves to redistribute refugees more fairly across the union. European Council President Donald Tusk has warned that the EU is running out of time to develop an effective migration strategy: “We have no more than two months to get things under control. The March European Council will be the last moment to see if our strategy works. If it doesn’t, we will face grave consequences such as the collapse of Schengen.” In Austria, state, federal and community leaders gather in Vienna for a summit this afternoon on the government’s asylum policy.

IS acknowledges militant death

The Islamic State terror group in its propaganda magazine has acknowledged the death of the militant Mohammed Emwazi, who was also known as Jihadi John and appeared in several videos depicting the beheadings of western hostages. The United States military said in November last year that Emwazi was believed killed in a drone strike in Syria. Meanwhile it’s been confirmed that the oldest Christian monastery in Iraq, the 1,400 year old St. Elijah's Monastery in Mosul, has been destroyed by IS.

Dahlin “confession” dismissed

The Swedish human rights activist Peter Dahlin, who is being held by Chinese police, has appeared on state television apparently confessing to violating Chinese law through his activities. His supporters have dismissed the statement, saying Dahlin was probably forced to make it. The Chinese Urgent Action Working Group he co-founded works with Chinese human rights lawyers.

Palin endorses Trump

In the United States, the former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, has endorsed Donald Trump as Republican nominee for the presidential election later this year. Palin is a former vice-presidential candidate.

Lord Weidenfeld dies

The Vienna-born Austrian-British publisher and diplomat Lord George Weidenfeld has died at the age of 96. Weidenfeld fled Vienna during the Nazi dictatorship.

European shares fall sharply

Major European share markets have declined over 3% following sharp falls in Asia. Analysts say markets are unnerved by falling oil prices.

The Weather

Cloudy with some sunny spells. Top temperatures minus 5 to plus 3 degrees.

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