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8. April 2017, 21:58

Offensive against Taliban in Kunduz

Afghanistan’s military has started an offensive to try to take back the northern city of Kunduz after it was seized yesterday by Taliban insurgents. The defence ministry says the police headquarters and the prison have been recaptured. The United States military mission in Afghanistan has carried out airstrikes on Taliban positions on the outskirts of the city. Kunduz is the first provincial capital to fall to the Taliban since they were forced from power in a US led invasion 14 years ago.

US and Russia disagree over Assad

Talks between United States president Barack Obama and Russian president Vladimir Putin in New York on the civil war in Syria have failed to resolve differences over the role of Syrian president Bashar Assad in any peace initiative. Obama said the US was ready to work with Assad’s allies Russia and Iran but a transition away from his leadership is necessary: “Assad reacted to peaceful protests by escalating repression and killing and in turn created the environment for the current strife. And so Assad and his allies can’t simply pacify a broad majority of a population that has been brutalised.” Putin said working with Assad is essential to defeat the Islamic State terror group and that the talks with Obama were useful: “Our talks were very constructive, business-like and surprisingly frank. There was a lot of common ground but also differences which are well known.”

IS claims killing in Dhaka

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the killing of an Italian aid worker in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka last night. If confirmed, it would mark its first attack in Bangladesh.

Yemen attack death toll rises

Unconfirmed reports say the death toll from an air strike on a wedding party in Yemen yesterday has risen to at least 130. The Saudi-led coalition which is carrying out airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen has denied responsibility.

Russians on trial in Kiev

Two men alleged to be Russian special forces soldiers go on trial in the Ukrainian capital Kiev today on terrorism charges. The two were captured in Luhansk in May. Russia says they are not active members of its armed forces.

Half a million refugees reach Europe

The United Nations refugee agency says over half a million refugees have now reached Europe this year. It says the majority come from war zones, especially Syria

NZ creates major marine reserve

New Zealand has announced plans to create one of the world's largest ocean sanctuaries, around the Kermadec islands. There is to be a ban on fishing and mining in the area which is home to endangered marine life including whales, dolphins and turtles.

The weather

Cloudy with sunny spells in the east, sunnier in the west. Top temperatures 9 to 18 degrees.

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