News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Fighting resumes in Aleppo

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says air strikes have resumed in the Syrian city of Aleppo and that heavy clashes have broken out including shelling and gunfire. The development follows yesterday's announcement of a truce which was meant to stop fighting between government forces and rebel groups. Mike Seawright is a spokesman for the humanitarian organisation Relief Aid which has been working in eastern Aleppo. He explains what he's hearing from his team on the ground: "our team reports continued fighting including mortar rounds so it's more than just light fighting. And they're also continuing to have to shelter in buildings with large numbers of people - four to five families in the house with little shelter, no food, people down to one meal a day, and no access to safe drinking water let alone medical care."

US to halt some arms sales to Saudi Arabia

US officials have told the Reuters news agency that the US has decided to limit its military support for Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen because of concerns over widespread civilian casualties. They also say they will halt a planned arms sale to the kingdom. The decision reflects deep frustration within the Obama administration over Saudi Arabia's role in Yemen's 20-month-old war, which has killed more than 10,000 people and sparked a range of humanitarian crises, including chronic food shortages.

Duterte admits personally killing suspects

The President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has said he personally killed drug dealers when he was mayor of the city of Davao. It's the first time he's made such an admission as the country's president.

UN says South Sudan on brink of civil war

The head of a team of U.N. human rights investigators Yasmin Sooka has told the U.N. Human Rights Council that South Sudan is on the brink of a civil war that could destabilise the region. Sooka said a 4,000-strong protection force was needed in the country.

Brazil's Senate approves 20 year austerity plan

The Brazilian Senate has approved a controversial move to cap public spending for the next 20 years. When President Michel Temer took office earlier this year, he promised to lead the country out of its worst recession in many decades. The opposition says the austerity measures will mainly affect the health and education sectors which are already underfunded. The move has prompted protests in the capital Brasilia.

The weather

Some sunshine in the west and south. Elsewhere a bit of rain or light snowfall. There is a danger of ice on the roads in places in the east. Highs between zero and 9 degrees.

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