News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Hundreds of men missing in Aleppo

The United Nations says hundreds of Syrian men and boys appear to have gone missing after leaving rebel-held areas of Aleppo and crossing into government-held territory. Forces led by Syria's government have seized at least 75% of eastern parts of the city from rebels in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled those districts, with more than 8,000 leaving during a humanitarian pause in the past 24 hours.

Geert Wilders convicted in hate speech trial

The Dutch anti-Islam political leader, Geert Wilders, has been convicted by a court near Amsterdam of insulting Moroccans and inciting discrimination against them. The charges stem from an event in March 2014, when Wilders told supporters that he would ensure there were fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands. Despite today’s conviction, the court imposed no penalty on Wilders, whose far-right Freedom Party is leading in the polls ahead of parliamentary elections in March.

Russian athletes “benefited from doping scheme”

A new report says that more than 1,000 Russian athletes benefited from a state-sponsored doping programme, which ran for four years from 2011. The final part of the so-called McLaren report implicates 30 different sports – as well 12 medalists from the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi and five from the summer Games in London in 2012.

South Korean President Park impeached

Members of parliament in South Korea have voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye over alleged abuse of power and constitutional violations. The country's Prime Minister will assume leadership until the Constitutional Court rules on whether Park must step down permanently. Journalist Jonathan Cheng in Seoul says many members of Park's ruling Saenuri Party were among those who voted for her impeachment. “What became clear here was that Park’s popularity, which had fallen to 4% approval rating, was seen as liability for the ruling party.”

Hillary Clintons against fake news

Just over a month after her shock defeat in the U.S. presidential election, Hillary Clinton has warned Congress about the dangers of false online propaganda. Last weekend an armed man showed up at a Pizzeria in Washington D.C. after reading a fake news story suggesting that the restaurant was tied to a child sex ring linked to the Clintons. Speaking on Capitol Hill, Clinton urged lawmakers to take action: “So-called fake news can have real world consequences. This isn’t about politics or partisanship. Lives are at risk.”

Astronaut John Glenn dies

The former astronaut John Glenn has died at the age of 95. In 1962 Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. He also served as a Democratic senator from 1974 to 1998.

The weather

This afternoon’s weather. Cloudy in the north-east, but elsewhere mostly sunny. It will also be windy in the east. Highs today will range from 4C to 16.

Übersicht

• News In English