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8. April 2017, 21:58

Nobel Peace Prize for Tunisian democracy group

A democracy group in Tunisia has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution to the first and most successful Arab Spring movement. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet for its role in helping the country's transition to democracy following the Jasmine revolution in 2011. The head of the committee Kaci Kullmann made the announcement in Oslo: "The Quartet was formed in the summer of 2013 when the democratisation process was in danger of collapsing. It established an alternative, peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war."

UN proposes unity government for Libya

The United Nations envoy for Libya Bernardino Leon has proposed the formation of a national unity government, after months of difficult negotiations. Libya has had two rival parliaments since 2014 – one backed by Islamists in Tripoli and an internationally recognised government in the east.Both parliaments must agree to the deal.

No end in sight to EU migration crisis

European Union governments have agreed to step up the deportation of people who do not qualify for asylum and are considering measures to strengthen the EU´s external borders, as the number of migrants and refugees continues to increase. Meanwhile, the German state of Bavaria is planning "emergency measures" to slow the arrival of asylum seekers, including sending some back to neighbouring Austria, directly challenging Chancellor Angela Merkel over the crisis. The Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner has warned of the risk of violence if Bavaria goes ahead. An EU plan to redistribute refugees across member states begins today with 19 Eritreans being flown from Italy to Sweden.

Israel limits access to al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Israel has imposed new restrictions on Palestinian entry to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, following a spate of attacks against Israelis. In addition to extending a ban for men under the age of 45, Israeli police have installed metal detectors at several entrances to Jerusalem's Old City. Israeli settlers have also launched a wave of attacks targeting Palestinians across the West Bank.

Russia denies missiles crashed in Iran

Russia's Defence Ministry has rejected claims by officials and media in the United States that four Russian cruise missiles fired at targets in Syria from the Caspian Sea crashed in Iran. The Russian government said it launched 26 long-range cruise missiles on Wednesday, hitting targets in the north and northwest of Syria.

The weather

Mostly overcast with isolated showers in the mountains and top temperatures from 11 to 19.

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