I.S. claim deadly bomb attack in Kabul +++ Putin says supermarket attack was terrorism

28. Jänner 2018, 02:00

I.S. claim deadly bomb attack in Kabul

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for today's suicide bomb attack on a Shia cultural center in the Afghan capital Kabul. Officials say at least 40 people were killed and 30 wounded. The Afghan interior ministry says the suicide blast was followed by at least two more explosions in the area. Many of the victims were students. In recent months, Islamic State has carried out attacks on a number of Shia targets across Afghanistan.

Putin says supermarket attack was terrorism

The Russian President Vladimir Putin says yesterday’s explosion at a supermarket in St Petersburg was an act of terrorism. 13 people were injured when an improvised device containing explosives and shrapnel went off in a storage area for customers’ bags. No-one has claimed responsibility.

Yemen faces world’s worst famine in 50 years.

The UN's emergency relief coordinator is warning of a dire situation in Yemen, with millions of people at risk of starvation following years of civil war and a partial blockade of aid. Mark Lowcock says there must be a pause in the fighting between government forces and Houthi rebels or the consequences will be unthinkable: “Everywhere you go, you see roads and bridges and factories bombed and shelled and destroyed in the fighting. You see hospitals with no power and water. What we have in Yemen right now is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis – and unless things change, in 2018 we’re going to see the biggest famine there the world has seen in 50 years.”

Increasing attack on children in conflict zones

A new report from the UN's children's agency highlights - what it describes as - a shocking rise in attacks against children this year in conflict zones. UNICEF says children are being increasingly exposed to brutal violence in their homes, schools and playgrounds. UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director, Justin Forsyth, outlines some of the horrors being faced by children: “They’re being used as human bombs by Boko Haram. They’re human shields. Much bigger numbers of children are being forced to be child soldiers, are being raped. They’re being enslaved. So there seems to be real flouting of international humanitarian law on a huge scale.”

UN concerned over child evacuations in Syria

The United Nations has accused the Syrian government of using critically-ill children in a besieged area of the capital Damascus as bargaining chips. Sixteen patients have been evacuated so far from the rebel held suburb of Eastern Ghouta, with more expected today. The UN Special Envoy Jan Egeland says he understands that rebel fighters have agreed to release captured government workers in exchange for the children being allowed to leave the area: “If it’s been an exchange, I find that problematic. It is wonderful for the families. It is wonderful for these children that have their lives saved. But it’s not good if they become bargaining chips in some kind of exchange with detainees.”

The Weather

Lots of cloud with only the odd burst of sunshine. Rain and snow showers are forecast – especially in regions north of the Alpine ridge and in the south-east. Top temperatures will range from -2 to +6 degrees.

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