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8. April 2017, 21:58

The UN makes new Syria appeal

The United Nations has issued a strongly-worded appeal to world powers to revive a shattered ceasefire in Syria and put an end to the "massive human suffering" that has left millions facing desolation, death and starvation. The UN has described the situation in the city of Aleppo as catastrophic. More than 200 civilians have reportedly been killed in Aleppo over the past week. At least 55 people died in an attack on a hospital supported by the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres. Jan Egeland is the chairman of the Syria Support Group's Humanitarian Access Task Force: "The stakes are enormous now for so many lives and for the lifeline, humanitarian lifeline to these people. So there is (are) frantic contacts and activities at the moment. We all hope to salvage the progress we have seen."

Concerns about new refugee influx from Libya

The German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has voiced concern that an increasing number of refugees and migrants will try to reach Europe this summer by crossing the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy. He was speaking after talks in Berlin with his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka. Both ministers say that Italy needs to do more to protect its southern sea border. Sobotka is in Berlin a day after talks with the Italian interior minister Angelino Alfano in Rome to try to calm tensions over Austria´s plans to reintroduce border restrictions at the Brenner Pass.

Protests in France turn violent

French officials say over 150 demonstrators were detained and 24 security officers injured in clashes during nationwide protests against planned labour law reforms. Striking workers burned tyres and tens of thousands of protesters marched through the streets in Paris, Rennes, Nantes, Marseille and other cities.

Iranians vote in key elections

People in Iran are voting in a second round of parliamentary elections. Moderate and centrist allies of President Hassan Rouhani made major gains in February in elections to parliament and the body that will elect the next Supreme Leader. Parliament is currently dominated by hardline allies of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

New blow for South Africa´s President

The High Court in South Africa has ruled that a decision to drop nearly 800 corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma should be reviewed. The ruling adds pressure on Zuma, who´s facing calls for his resignation even from within the ruling African National Congress.

The weather

Mostly sunny with some cloud in the mountains. Top temperatures from 9 to 17.

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