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8. April 2017, 21:58

Iran talks in intensive phase

The foreign ministers of six world powers are holding intensive talks with Iran on its nuclear programme in Lausanne in Switzerland ahead of a deadline tomorrow for a framework accord. There are hopes of a breakthrough but differences reportedly remain on how quickly sanctions on Iran would be eased and what kind of nuclear research it could still pursue. British foreign minister Philipp Hammond: “We believe a deal can be done but it has to be but it has to be a deal which outs the bomb beyond Iran’s reach. There can’t be any compromise about that.” Iran denies it has sought to build nuclear weapons.

Arab League agrees joint force

Arab League countries at a summit in Egypt have agreed to create a joint military force to combat common threats across the Middle East, including the advance of Islamic State militants in Iraq, Syria and Libya. The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen against Houthi rebels and their allies, whom Iran is accused of backing, was strongly supported by most League nations.

Germanwings second black box sought

Investigators dealing with the crash of the Germanwings flight in the French Alps last Tuesday have said the plane’s second black box has yet to be located. Forensic teams have identified DNA of nearly 80 victims.150 people were killed when co-pilot Andreas Lubitz allegedly deliberately crashed the plane.

Nigeria awaits election result

Nigeria’s electoral commission has said there should be a clear indication by this evening of the winner of the presidential election. The vote between incumbent Goodluck Jonathan and former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari is one of the most tightly contested since the end of military rule in 1999. More than 1,000 people died in riots after Buhari lost to Jonathan in 2011.

France’s right wins in local elections

In France, the rightwing UMP party, led by former President Nicolas Sarkozy, in coalition with centrist allies, has made large gains in the final round of local elections. The far right National Front of Marine Le Pen doesn’t appear to have gained control of any councils but its percentage of the vote has risen sharply. President François Hollande’s ruling Socialist party has seen substantial losses.

Britain election campaign opens

Britain’s general election campaign has officially begun ahead of the vote on May 7th. Conservative prime minister David Cameron has promised a referendum on Britain's EU membership if he is re-elected.

Greece’s creditors examine reforms

European Union, ECB and IMF officials are examining a list of structural reforms submitted by Greece on Friday as it seeks to secure further financial assistance. There are concerns Athens will run out of funds next month if more bailout money is not released.

The weather

Windy with rain in the north, scattered showers elsewhere, sunny spells in the south. Top temperatures 3 to 18 degrees.

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