News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

China and Taiwan hold historic talks

China and Taiwan have held their first government level talks since the end of China’s civil war in 1949, when the Communists came to power on the mainland. Four days of formal talks are taking place in Nanjing in eastern China. The meetings are being seen as a confidence building measure. China has never renounced its claim to Taiwan as part of its territory.

North Korea requests surprise meeting

South Korea says North Korea has issued an unexpected invitation to a high level meeting tomorrow, at a border village. It would be the first vice-ministerial meeting between Seoul and Pyongyang in more than six years. South Korean officials say the agenda has been left open, with all inter-Korean issues up for discussion.

Syria questions evacuees from Homs

The United Nations says Syrian authorities have detained hundreds of men of fighting age who have fled rebel-held areas of Homs during the ceasefire in place over the last few days. Syrian authorities say they are being questioned and released if they renounce violence. Over 1,100 people have so far been evacuated from the besieged areas of Homs and UN officials say many more want to leave. Matthew Hollingworth of the World Food Programme described conditions in the city. “The buildings are all destroyed essentially. People are desperate. People are living of weeds, they’re living off anything they can scratch together. It’s no form of life.” Meanwhile at peace talks in Geneva the Syrian government and the opposition representatives have met face to face, for the first time in this round of negotiations.

Cyprus reunification talks begin

The leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus have begun talks on reuniting the island, which has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974. The two sides have agreed on a document aimed at establishing a federation.

Polio re-emerges in Kabul

Afghan officials have begun an emergency polio vaccination programme in Kabul, after the first case of the disease in the city was diagnosed since the fall of the Taliban a decade ago. Polio is endemic across Afghanistan but has declined significantly in recent years.

Berlusconi on trial

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi faces his latest trial today, in Naples, on charges of political bribery. He allegedly paid a senator 3 million euros in 2006 to leave the Italy of Values party and help undermine the centre-left government in power at the time. The senator involved is collaborating with investigators.

Former child star dies

Former Hollywood child star Shirley Temple has died at her home in California. She was 85.

The weather

Rain and snow showers in the east and southeast. Sunnier in the west and north of the Alps. Top temperatures 2 to 10 degrees.

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