News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Italy quake toll rises to 247

A massive search and rescue operation is continuing in central Italy following Wednesday´s powerful earthquake. The death toll has risen to 247. The Health Ministry says many of the victims were children. More than 4,000 rescue workers are using heavy lifting equipment and their bare hands as they try to find survivors. Thousands have been left homeless. The Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says his cabinet will meet today to discuss how to help affected communities: "Our first feeling is of sadness, of pain and deep emotion - a sentiment that is being shared by all the country from the north to the south, regardless of political or personal ideology. Italy is in deep solidarity with the people of this region."

French court considers burkini bans

The highest administrative court in France will today consider an appeal from rights groups against a ban on the burkini in dozens of towns and villages. Controversy over the full-body bathing suit continues to grow after pictures emerged of a veiled woman sitting on a beach in Nice removing her tunic, watched by four policemen.

Turkey continues offensive in northern Syria

It´s being reported that more Turkish tanks have entered northern Syria, as part of an operation aimed at driving the Islamic State terror group out of the area around Jarablus and preventing Kurdish militia fighters from seizing territory. On Wednesday Syrian rebels backed by Turkish special forces,tanks and warplanes entered Jarablus, one of the last IS strongholds on the Turkish-Syrian border.

UN calls for Yemen inquiry

The United Nations has called for an independent, international inquiry into the war in Yemen. The UN human rights office says the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians makes such an inquiry a moral duty. It documents violations committed by all sides, including airstrikes on schools and hospitals, and the use of cluster bombs.

Attackers target American University in Kabul

An attack at the campus of the American University in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has left 12 people dead, including seven students. Elite security forces shot dead two men suspected of carrying out the attack, which began late on Wednesday with a large explosion followed by gunfire.

Historic peace accord in Colombia

The Colombian government and the FARC rebel group have signed an historic peace accord, paving the way for an end to more than five decades of conflict. The announcement was made in the Cuban capital, Havana, where peace talks were launched in 2012.

The weather

Sunny with highs from 23 to 33, warmest in the west.

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