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8. April 2017, 21:58

Nemtsov funeral held in Moscow

The funeral is being held today in Moscow for Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov who was shot dead near the Kremlin on Friday night. Senior officials from Poland and Latvia say they have been prevented from attending the funeral, as was Russia's opposition leader Alexei Navalny. No arrests have yet been made for the murder of Nemtsov, who was a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin and Russian involvement in the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine reports military losses

Ukraine’s military says three of its soldiers have been killed and nine wounded in the last 24 hours in clashes with pro-Russian rebels in the east, some of the worst losses in days. Meanwhile Kiev says the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany have agreed to send OSCE observers to areas where violations of the ceasefire established last month have been reported.

Obama critical of Netanyahu on Iran

United States president Barack Obama has insisted negotiating with Iran is the best means of containing the possibility Tehran is seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon. He was speaking ahead of a controversial speech to the US Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he's expected to criticise a possible deal with Iran as threatening his country’s survival. President Obama: “It’s understandable why Israel is very concerned about Iran. We are too. But what we have consistently said is we have to stay focused on our ultimate goal, which is preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon.” Obama has again criticised Republican leaders for inviting Netanyahu to make the speech two weeks ahead of Israel’s election, saying it could suggest US partisanship in the Israeli vote. Meanwhile US Secretary of State John Kerry is holding a second day of talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Switzerland with the aim of securing a framework agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme by the end of this month.

Iraqi forces attack IS in Tikrit

Iraq's security forces say there is fierce fighting between government forces backed by Shi'ite militia and Islamic State militants around Tikrit. IS has held the city since last summer. The Iraqi offensive has both Iranian and United States support.

Ebola summit in Brussels

A summit is underway in Brussels to discuss ways to eradicate the Ebola virus. The presidents of the three worst affected west African countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are attending. More than nine and half thousand people have died in the Ebola epidemic.

Pakistan arrests over polio

Nearly 500 parents have been arrested in north west Pakistan for refusing to have their children vaccinated against polio. Officials say they will not be released until they sign a statement agreeing to the vaccinations.

The weather

Mainly sunny. Top temperatures 2 to 12 degrees.

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