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8. April 2017, 21:58

Turkey outlines Syria ceasefire plan

Turkey's state news agency says Turkey and Russia have reached an agreement on a cease-fire plan for the whole of Syria which would start after midnight. The Anadolu Agency said the plan would come into force "in all regions" where fighting between pro-government forces and opposition groups is taking place. However, the agency said the deal would exclude "terrorist organisations" without giving further details. Moscow says it can't comment on the report.

Abe and Obama pay tribute at Pearl Harbor

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has visited the US naval base at Pearl Harbor where he expressed deep sadness and offered his condolences to the victims of Japan's attack there 75 years ago: "as the Prime Minister of Japan I offer my sincere and ever-lasting condolences to the souls of those who lost their lives here as well as to the spirits of all the brave men and women whose lives were taken by a war that commenced in this very place. And also to the souls of the countless innocent people who became victims of the war." Abe was speaking alongside the US President Barack Obama after the two men paid their respects to the 2,400 Americans who died in the attack in 1941.

Kerry to lay out vision for Middle East peace

The US Secretary of State John Kerry will lay out his vision for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a speech later today. The move comes just days after the US cleared the way for a U.N. resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements in the West Bank by abstaining from the vote. Kerry's address comes just weeks before President Obama leaves office.

Russian officials speak about doping programme

Russian officials have for the first time admitted the existence of a doping operation which affected some of the world's major competitions. A report issued earlier this month claimed more than 1,000 Russians had taken part in a doping cover-up between 2011 and 2015. In interviews with the New York Times, officials acknowledged the programme but denied it was state-sponsored.

Tributes paid to Carrie Fisher

The film industry and fans around the world have been paying tribute to the US actress and writer Carrie Fisher, who's died at the age of 60 after a cardiac arrest. She was best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series. Warwick Davis starred alongside Fisher in "Return of the Jedi": "she played this iconic character Princess Leia, loved by millions of fans all over the world and was instantly recognisable. But that didn't affect her in any way. She didn't expect any star treatment. She wasn't a celebrity. She was Carrie Fisher."

The Weather

Rain and snowfall in the region between Salzburg and Burgenland. Elsewhere a mix of cloud and occasional sunshine. A lively to strong wind. Highs ranging between minus 1 and plus 7 degrees, in the south up to 10.

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