https://youtu.be/bUVUyiBsebI The Islamic State group on Tuesday officially claimed responsibility for attacks at Brussels airport and on a metro train in the Belgian capital that left some 35 people dead. (Courtesy AFP)
Europe
Belgian interior minister says Belgium will defeat terrorism
(Reuters) — Belgium’s interior minister said Belgian resolve and motivation to fight extremism will only increase in the aftermath of Islamic State suicide bomb attacks on Brussels airport and a rush-hour metro train on Tuesday (March 22) which killed at least 30 people. “It’s a day of mixed feelings, from one side very sad about what happened for the victims and the families, so we share our sympathies with those people. From the other […]
Around 35 killed in Brussels attacks claimed by IS
by Lachlan Carmichael and Alex Pigman BRUXELLES, Belgium (AFP) — A series of explosions claimed by the Islamic State group ripped through Brussels airport and a metro train Tuesday, killing around 35 people in the latest attacks to bring bloody carnage to the heart of Europe. Two huge blasts, at least one of which prosecutors said was likely caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the check-in hall at Zaventem Airport, strewing the scene with […]
At least 21 dead in Brussels blasts: firefighters
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — Belgian firefighters on Tuesday said there were at least 21 dead after “enormous” blasts hit Brussels airport and the city’s metro system. Pierre Meys, the spokesman for the Brussels fire brigade, told AFP 11 people died in twin blasts at Brussels airport. There were also “around ten killed at the Maalbeek metro station where there was an enormous explosion,” he said. “Most of the wounded have been evacuated. The scene […]
At least 13 dead as blasts rock Brussels airport, metro
by Lachlan Carmichael and Alex Pigman BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — A string of explosions rocked Brussels airport and a city metro station on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people, according to media reports, as Belgium raised its terror threat to the maximum level. Two explosions targeted the main hall of Zaventem Airport at around 8:00 am (0700 GMT), with a third hitting the Maalbeek metro station, near the European Union’s main buildings, […]
Explosions hit departure hall of Brussels airport – social media
(Reuters) — Explosions tore through the departure hall of Brussels airport on Tuesday morning (March 22), killing one person and injuring several others, the Belgian news agency Belga said. The agency said shots were fired and there were shouts in Arabic shortly before the explosions. A still photograph uploaded to social media purported to show black smoke rising from a building at Brussels airport following the blasts. Brussels Airport is cancelling flights and evacuating the […]
Prince William unveils plans to crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking
LONDON, England (Reuters) — Britain’s Prince William has teamed up with the global transportation industry to develop a new crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking routes. The industry has agreed a declaration which was signed by around 40 airline, shipping, port and customs agencies and conservation charities at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday (March 15). William, who is President of United For Wildlife, convened the International Taskforce on the Transportation of Illegal Wildlife Products a year ago […]
US, France warn Syria regime as peace talks set to begin
by Layal Abou Rahal with Dave Clark and Fran Blandy in Paris GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — Syria’s warring sides gathered in Geneva Sunday for UN-brokered peace talks, as the United States and France warned the Damascus regime against trying to disrupt efforts to end the bloody civil war. United Nations Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura met representatives of both delegations for “informal meetings” ahead of the negotiations, due to begin on Monday. The long-awaited talks […]
Syria peace talks set to resume amid ceasefire warnings
by Layal Abou Rahal with Dave Clark and Fran Blandy in Paris GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — Syria’s warring sides gathered in Geneva Sunday for UN-brokered indirect peace talks as the United States and France warned the Damascus regime against trying to disrupt the fragile ceasefire. As the fifth anniversary of the violence looms, the main players in the conflict were on Monday to resume negotiations in the latest bid to end bloodshed which has killed […]
Pope’s record on paedophile priests tarnishes three-year report card
by Jean-Louis de la Vaissiere VATICAN City (AFP) — Many words, little action: three years after Pope Francis’s election, victims of priest sex abuse are bitter and disappointed, accusing the Church of having failed to punish guilty clerics and end a culture of complacency on the issue. The recent Australian Royal Commission hearings of Vatican number three George Pell and a preliminary criminal probe into accusations that Lyon’s archbishop, Philippe Barbarin, covered up for a paedophile […]
Tunisia forces kill five ‘terrorists’ after deadly IS raid
by Ines Bel Aiba and Mounir Souissi https://youtu.be/12XkKXhWsBE TUNIS, Tunisia (AFP) — Tunisian forces killed five “terrorists” in an operation near the Libyan border late Tuesday, the interior ministry said, a day after a deadly raid the government has described as an unprecedented assault by the Islamic State group. The swoop by the army and security forces came after 17 suspects were arrested earlier in a manhunt following Monday’s dawn attacks in the border town […]
Greek creditors to resume reforms audit by March 10: PM
ATHENS, Greece (AFP) — Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Tuesday that an EU-IMF audit of the debt-laden country’s reforms would likely resume by March 10, hinting that the process was being delayed by divisions among the creditors. “My estimate is that (senior creditor representatives will) return in the first ten days of March,” Tsipras said in a televised interview. “There must finally be agreement between the (creditors) so we can move forward,” he told Star TV. […]
