News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

US announces major Guantanamo transfer

The United States has transferred 15 prisoners from its Guantanamo Bay detention centre in Cuba, to the United Arab Emirates. It's the largest single transfer of detainees during Barack Obama's presidency. Twelve are from Yemen, and three are Afghans. Mark Fallon was the deputy commander of the criminal task force charged with bringing suspected terrorists to justice during the Bush administration - he said Guantanamo should be closed: "It is a symbol of injustice, oppression and torture. It's been a tool used by our adversaries to recruit terrorists, finance terrorism acts, and the outcome that we need to do is really reduce the number of foreign fighters willing to attack us."

Russian warplanes take off from Iran

Russia is now using an airbase in Iran to launch airstrikes against jihadist groups in Syria. The Russian defence ministry says its long-range bombers and fighter jets took off from the Hamedan base in western Iran and killed a large number of rebel fighters. Moscow and Tehran have recently discussed boosting military cooperation.

Man charged over New York imam murder

Police in New York City have charged a man with murder in connection with the killing of an imam and his assistant, who were shot as they walked home from a mosque on Saturday. The charges against the 35-year-old man, Oscar Morel, came just hours after hundreds of mourners gathered for the outdoor funeral of the two men. New York City mayor Bill de Blasio says the killings come during a time of extreme polarisation in the United States: "We know there are voices all over this country who are spewing hate, trying to create division, trying to turn one American against another."

Austrian police investigate train attack

In Austrian news; police in Vorarlberg are investigating a knife attack on a train which left two teenage male passengers seriously injured. The attack, which was reportedly carried out by a mentally disturbed 60-year-old German man, occurred on a regional train travelling between Bludenz and Feldkirch early this morning.

China launches first quantum satellite

China has launched the world's first quantum communications satellite - as it tries to develop an unbreakable system of encryption. The Chinese news agency Xinhua said the satellite will circle the earth once every 90 minutes. The scientists will make use of quantum particles, known as photons, to send secure messages. Austrian scientists from the University of Vienna have worked with the Chinese team to develop the satellite.

EU citizens in UK ‘left in limbo’

A leading figure in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union says the government should now guarantee that the rights of EU citizens who are living in the UK will be protected. Gisela Stuart, an opposition Labour party MP, says three and a half million EU citizens in the United Kingdom should not be "left in limbo".

The weather

Scattered rain and thundershowers forecast for the south and south-east this afternoon - elsewhere, there will be sunny skies. Highs ranging from 20 to 28 degrees.

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