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8. April 2017, 21:58

USA and Cuba hold historic talks

The US Secretary of State John Kerry has been meeting his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez in Panama, the highest level talks between the two countries since the Cuban Revolution over 50 years ago. President Barack Obama and the Cuban leader Raul Castro are also due to meet formally for the first time in the coming days at the Summit of the Americas in Panama. Meanwhile, the US state department has reportedly recommended that Cuba be removed from its list of states said to sponsor terrorism. Such a move could pave the way for the two countries re-opening embassies. Professor Silvia Pedraza, a Cuban-American based in the United States, welcomed the new dialogue: "I think that the old tensions were counterproductive. I don´t think that the punitive measures that the United States enacted, particularly in the early years of the Revolution, brought about the demise of the Communist government. I think on the contrary that it strengthened it."

Ban likens Yarmouk to a “death camp”

The UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon says the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus, which has been overrun by militants from the Islamic State group, is quote "the deepest circle of hell" in Syria's four-year war. Ban told reporters that Yarmouk is beginning to resemble a "death camp" for an estimated 18,000 refugees trapped by the fighting. He called for action to prevent a massacre.

International aid reaches Yemen

India has ended its massive evacuation efforts in Yemen, pulling out a total of 5,600 people, as fighting continues to rage in the country. More than 4,600 Indians and nearly a thousand nationals from over 40 countries have been evacuated by the Indian government. Planes carrying over 30 tonnes of medical aid from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, have reportedly landed in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa - the first deliveries flown in by international aid groups after weeks of heavy fighting.

Jean-Marie Le Pen faces disciplinary hearing

The leader of France's far-right Front National, Marine Le Pen, says her father should end his political career for the sake of the party. Speaking on French television, she said Jean Marie Le Pen is to face a disciplinary hearing over his latest anti-Semitic and racist comments. Marine Le Pen has accused the 86-year-old founder of the party of sabotaging its efforts to move into the political mainstream.

Blanket smoking ban in Austria from 2018

After years of debate, the Austrian government has announced plans to introduce a smoking ban in all restaurants, bars and cafes. It´s set to come into effect in May 2018. The draft legislation is to be sent out for expert appraisal today.

The weather

Plenty of sunshine, with highs from 15 to 22.

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