News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Iraqi forces retake Mosul airport from IS

US-backed Iraqi security forces have reportedly taken control of Mosul´s airport, as they move to recapture the west of the city from the Islamic State terror group. The assault, backed by jets, drones and gunships, is part of a campaign which began in October to retake full control of the city. Eastern Mosul was retaken last month.

Syria peace talks resume in Geneva

UN-sponsored peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition resumed today in Geneva. The talks are taking place two months into a shaky ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey. Syria's main opposition group, the High Negotiations Committee, has called for face-to-face discussions. During three rounds of talks in Geneva last year, the two sides never sat down at the same table. Staffan de Mistura, the UN's special Syria envoy, says he is not expecting a breakthrough.

UN appeal to prevent famine in four nations

The UN says it needs $4.4 billion dollars by the end of March to prevent catastrophic hunger and famine in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says armed conflicts and climate change have contributed to the disaster: "More than 20 million people are going hungry and facing devastating levels of food insecurity. Famine is already a reality in parts of South Sudan. Unless we act now it is only a matter of time until it affects other areas and other countries."

Senior US officials in Mexico for talks

Mexico has condemned new guidelines issued by the United States, under which almost all illegal immigrants can be subject to deportation. The new rules include sending undocumented people to Mexico, even if they are not Mexicans. The US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and the head of Homeland Security, John Kelly, are visiting Mexico today for talks with President Enrique Pena Nieto, amid one of the most serious rifts between the two neighbours in recent years.

Trump revokes transgender toilet rules

The US President Donald Trump has revoked guidelines which allow transgender students to use school toilets and locker rooms matching the gender with which they identify. The landmark directive was issued by President Barack Obama last year. The Trump administration is leaving it up to states and school districts to decide whether students should have access to facilities that do not reflect their biological sex.

North Korea denies Malaysia assassination claim

Malaysia has requested the international police agency Interpol to put out an alert for four North Korean suspects over the murder of Kim Jong-nam. The estranged half-brother of North Korea´s leader Kim Jong-un was killed in Kuala Lumpur's main airport last week, in what South Korean and US officials say was an assassination carried out by North Korean agents. North Korea has denied involvement. Three suspects are already in custody.

Seven new planets identified

Astronomers have, for the first time, discovered seven Earth-size planets orbiting a single star and say they believe these new worlds could support life. The discovery was made by NASA and a Belgian-led research team.

The weather

A mix of cloud and sunshine with föhn conditions in the mountains. Top temperatures from 12 to 21.

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