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8. April 2017, 21:58

Cypriot reunification talks in Geneva

Talks are being held in Geneva aimed at unifying the island of Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades must settle contentious issues such as property disputes and security. Cyprus has been partitioned since 1974, when Turkey sent in troops in the wake of a Greek-backed coup that aimed to unite the island with Greece. United Nations envoy hosting the talks Espen Barth Eide says they are best chance of resolving the division in decades: “We have two leaders who really want this to work. They have demonstrated a degree of will and leadership that we haven’t seen for a very very long time in Cyprus and I think that’s the main reason. I think the second reason is that the neighbours including Greece and Turkey seem to be willing to be helpful.” Any deal must pass a referendum in both sectors of the island.

Turkey debates constitutional changes

Turkey’s parliament has begun a debate on rewriting the constitution to create an executive presidency with greatly extended powers. Incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the changes would give Turkey a presidential system in line with France and the United States. The main opposition party has said the changes would undermine parliamentary democracy and allow a totalitarian regime. A referendum on the constitutional amendments is expected to be held in the first week of April.

Israeli arrests after truck attack

Israeli police say they have arrested nine people, including family members, of the Palestinian who drove a truck into a crowd of Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem yesterday, killing four people. Seventeen others were injured before the attacker was shot dead. Israeli authorities have said the attack was inspired by the Islamic State terror group.

Assad to negotiate “everything”

Syrian President Bashar Assad is reported to be ready to negotiate on "everything" in proposed peace talks in Kazakhstan. Speaking to French media, Assad also said the army would recapture all of Syria.

Iran mourns Rafsanjani

Iran is observing three days of national mourning for former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who died yesterday at the age of 82. Rafsanjani played a significant role in the 1979 Revolution but was later regarded as a central figure in the reform movement.

Streep slams Trump at awards

The musical La La Land has won a record seven prizes at the Golden Globe awards in Los Angeles. Actor Meryl Streep accepting a lifetime achievement award strongly criticised United States president-elect Donald Trump, saying his actions during the election campaign had legitimized bullying. Trump has dismissed the criticism.

The weather

Partly sunny in the west, cloudy with snowfalls in the east. Top temperatures minus 6 to plus g degrees.

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