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8. April 2017, 21:58

UN envoy holds talks in Damascus

The UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura is holding meetings in Damascus with Syrian officials in an effort to re-start peace talks and to discuss a proposed truce. The visit follows last week's international conference in Munich which called for a halt to hostilities this week so that humanitarian aid can be delivered to those in need. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has cast doubt over whether a ceasefire could be implemented: "we hear them requesting a cease-fire within a week - ok then, who is capable of bringing together all these conditions within a week? No one." In another development, there's been international condemnation of yesterday's air strikes on hospitals in northern Syria in which 50 people were killed. The Syrian government's ally Russia has been widely blamed for the attacks with France and Turkey saying they could amount to war crimes. Moscow has rejected the accusations. One of the hospitals hit was supported by the medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres. Spokesman Andre Heller Perache: "what this highlights is not only the loss of life in these airstrikes, but beyond that it's all those patients who access this hospital for medical care, for emergency medical care, who now no longer have anywhere to go."

Cameron holds EU reform talks in Brussels

The British Prime Minister David Cameron is holding talks in Brussels where he hopes to gain support for his EU reform demands. He's due to discuss the renegotiation with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and members of the European Parliament. The EU Council President Donald Tusk says negotiations with the UK are at a "critical" stage.

Ukraine government faces crucial vote

MPs in Ukraine have gathered enough signatures to hold a no confidence vote on the government of Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk. The parliament is preparing to debate a report on the administration's performance. A vote against the government could result in snap elections.

6 killed in gas blast in Russia

In Russia, at least 6 people including 2 children have died in a gas explosion in a five-story apartment building. The blast happened in Yaroslavl in central Russia.

Austria presents border control plans

The Austrian government is presenting plans for stronger border control measures in response to the refugee and migrant crisis. As part of efforts to stem the influx of people, the government is expanding the list of so-called "safe countries" in a bid to identify people it considers economic migrants. Those now include Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. It's also been reported that the army and police presence in the southern border region will be boosted.

The weather

Mostly overcast with some rain or snowfall in places. A lively wind and highs ranging between zero and 9 degrees.

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