News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

China “deploys missiles on disputed island”

Taiwan and the United States say satellite images appear to show that China is installing an advanced surface-to-air missile system on an island in disputed territory in the South China Sea. Woody Island is on a vital international shipping route and is part of the Paracel group which has been under Chinese control for decades but is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. China has neither confirmed nor denied the deployment but said it is free to act as it sees fit for its self-defence.

US sends stealth fighters to S Korea

The United States has deployed four stealth fighter jets to South Korea in a show of force against North Korea, following the recent rocket and nuclear tests carried out by Pyongyang. South Korea has said it is starting talks with the US over deployment of a missile shield, a move strongly opposed by China.

UN readies Syria relief convoys

The United Nations is readying to deliver humanitarian aid to thousands of people trapped in besieged areas in Syria. Getting relief to besieged civilians was a key part of an agreement on Syria reached among world powers last week in Munich. UN humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien said allowing aid into war zones is a legal requirement: “The obligation for the relief of people who need life-saving aid and for the protection of civilians, that as a matter of law is something which all parties are required to grant.” Meanwhile Moscow says Russian and United States officials will meet on Friday to discuss a planned ceasefire in Syria.

Apple opposes FBI request

The technology company Apple has said it will challenge a demand from the FBI that it unlock the cellphone of the gunman who shot dead 14 people in San Bernadino in California last December. Apple chief executive Tim Cook said the court order to unlock the iPhone had implications beyond the legal case at hand and threatened the security of Apple customers.

Timoshenko leaves Ukraine coalition

The leader of a junior partner in Ukraine’s ruling coalition, Julia Timoshenko of the Fatherland faction, has said her party is leaving the coalition government after prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived a vote of no confidence last night. The remaining three parties in the coalition still have a majority. Critics of Yatsenyuk accuse him of failing to deliver reform.

US and Cuba resume flights

The United States and Cuba have signed an agreement to resume commercial flights between the nations for the first time in half a century. Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in 2014 that they would begin normalizing ties between the two countries.

The weather

Snow and rainfalls over much of the country. Some sun in the north west. Top temperatures zero to 7 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English