News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Prime Brussels suspect on the run

Belgium media are reporting that a prime suspect in the terror attacks in Brussels yesterday, Najim Laachraoui, is still on the run, after previous reports he had been arrested this morning. He is believed to be the bomb maker behind the attacks in Brussels and in Paris last November. The Belgian state broadcaster has named two brothers, Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui, as suspects in the suicide bombings at the airport in Brussels and a metro station. The brothers had a history of organised crime and were already being sought by police in connection with the Paris attacks. The Islamic State terror group which has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s bombings in Brussels has warned that further attacks are planned against members of the coalition fighting IS in Syria and Iraq.

Belgium mourns terror victims

Belgium is observing three days of national mourning for the over 30 victims of yesterday’s attacks, with flags at half-mast and a minute’s silence held at midday. Belgian ambassador to Britain Guy Trouveroy has said Belgian police are facing a new terror phenomenon: “This jihadi phenomenon is relatively new. This dates back to the fighting in Syria. And so the recruitment, the narrative that was developed, are relatively recent.”

Russia calls for anti-terror cooperation

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has called for a resumption of anti-terrorism cooperation across Europe in the light of the Brussels attacks. The European Union froze cooperation with Russia following its annexation of Crimea.

Syrian army approaches Palmyra

In Syria, government forces have made advances against Islamic State fighters to reach the outskirts of the historic city of Palmyra. The capture of Palmyra would open a road to the province of Deir al-Zor, much of which is held by IS.

US strike hits AQAP in Yemen

The United States military says a US air strike has killed dozens of fighters from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula at a militant training camp in Yemen. The Pentagon says the camp that was used by more than 70 fighters.

Clinton, Trump remain frontrunners

In the United States, the front runners in the contests for the Democratic and Republican party presidential nominations, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, have won strong victories in Arizona. Democrat Bernie Sanders decisively won caucuses in two smaller states, Idaho and Utah. The Utah Republican caucuses were won by Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

China arrests over vaccines

Authorities in China have arrested 37 people in connection with a scandal over the illegal sale of vaccines. An estimated 80 million dollars worth of vaccines which had not been properly stored or transported are believed to have been sold since 2011.

The weather

Rain and snow showers north of the Alps. Sunny spells in low lying areas and the south. Top temperatures 3 to 12 degrees.

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