News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Major battle near Aleppo

Reports from Syria say a major battle is underway near the city of Aleppo, after Islamist forces seized a strategic village from government troops overnight. The clashes come as the United States and Russia try to re-impose a ceasefire in Aleppo.

Syrian army accused of ‘war crime’

Syrian opposition officials and monitoring groups have accused the government of Bashar al-Assad of bombing a refugee camp near the Turkish border. They said dozens of civilians were killed or wounded, and that there were no armed forces in the area. The United Nations humanitarian affairs chief, Stephen O'Brien, has said the attack could amount to a war crime: “The suspicion will fall initially on the Syrian government. We will want to make sure that they, or whoever it is, are fully held to account for this absolutely abominable act.” Syria’s army has denied targeting the camp.

Israeli Palestinian violence escalates

Palestinian officials say a woman in the Gaza Strip has been killed by Israeli tank fire, in some of the worst clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in two years. Israel said it was responding to mortar rounds fired by Hamas fighters. The escalation in violence comes during Israeli searches for tunnels dug by Hamas under Israeli territory.

North Korea holds party congress

North Korea is holding the first full congress of its ruling Workers party in 36 years. The four day congress is expected to confirm the absolute power of leader Kim Jong Un. He is thought likely to reassert his nuclear ambitions, amid speculation North Korea will soon conduct a fifth nuclear test.

Britain’s Labour does poorly in local vote

Britain’s opposition Labour Party has performed poorly in regional and local elections in what is seen as a referendum on Labour’s new left wing leader Jeremy Corbyn. The ruling Conservatives have failed to make major gains, except in Scotland. Scotland’s pro-independence SNP has won their assembly election but lost their majority. Britain’s rightwing populist anti-EU UKIP party has made gains in the vote. Results from London's election for mayor are expected later today.

EU concerned at Turkey PM resignation

The European Union has called on Turkey to ensure continuing cooperation over the recent deal on limiting refugee flows to Europe in return for visa liberalisation, following the resignation of prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey’s opposition leader has warned that Davutoglu’s resignation is a move toward increasingly authoritarian rule by president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Canada wildfire spreads

In Canada thousands of people from the city of Fort McMurray are being airlifted to safety after again being threatened by a catastrophic wildfire engulfing evacuee camps. The wildfire has grown tenfold in the last 24 hours, in a region that has the third largest reserves of oil in the world.

Obama cracks down on tax evasion

United States president Barack Obama has announced a crackdown on international tax evasion in response to recent disclosures in the Panama Papers. Obama announced executive action to close loopholes used by foreigners in the US.

The Weather

Generally sunny, some cloud and thunderstorms especially in mountain areas. Top temperatures 14 to 24 degrees.

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