Newsline | 04.05.2017, 16:15 UTC

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Newsline 04.05.2017 | 16:15 UTC News Russia, Iran, Turkey agree on Syria safe zones, opposition cries foul At the Astana ceasefire talks, Russia, Turkey and Iran have agreed to create four safe zones in Syria. The Damascus regime "fully backed" the Russian initiative as opposition delegates walked out in protest. Russia-Turkey relations 'normalized' Putin: Syria no fly zones could cement ceasefire Syria's President Bashar al-Assad: Propped up by Tehran and Moscow From safe zones to terrorism, Trump talks Syria with Putin Opinion: France's presidential fistfight In the recent French presidential debate, liberal candidate Emmanuel Macron beat right-winger Marine Le Pen with room to spare. Yet all it showed was how little the far right can be reasoned with, writes Barbara Wesel. Le Pen: 'France will be led by a woman: either me or Madame Merkel' French presidential candidates duel in heated debate After tense debate, France finds Macron more convincing: poll Le Pen's 'outsider' politics move to center stage in France France's candidates and their economic policies Fresh offensive on Mosul gains momentum Iraqi forces have pushed into the western parts of Mosul, opening a new front in the offensive against the "Islamic State" group. Iraq wants to have the entire city liberated by the end of May 2017. The destruction in western Mosul Mosul: The battle for Iraq's future UN: Mosul fighting has displaced nearly half a million Iraqis Mosul's displaced: 'I'm at the end of my years and have to live in a tent' Heinz Kessler, East Germany's last defense minister, dies in Berlin hospital aged 97 General Heinz Kessler was responsible for the former East German shoot-to-kill policy aimed at stopping people from escaping to the West. A GDR devotee until the end, he has died aged 97 in Berlin. Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie Museum Margot Honecker, widow of former East German leader, dies in Chile Former East German Communist official Günter Schabowski dies in Berlin West Germany and the Berlin Wall World Ugandan lawyer honored with German Africa Prize DW has learned that Ugandan human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo has won the 2017 German Africa Prize. He has been honored for his role in protecting peace, democracy, and human rights. Ugandan feminist academic in court, remanded in prison Africa Opinion: Germany's Africa policy is well-meaning but lacks coordination German Economics Minister Brigitte Zypries is in Durban for the World Economic Forum on Africa to present her "Pro! Africa" initiative. It's just more of the same, complains DW's Daniel Pelz. World Economic Forum Africa Kikwete: 'Africa inherited poor education from colonial masters' Ex-Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete has said improving the education system in Africa will replenish the continent's skills gap. He has been speaking to DW's Manuela Kasper-Claridge at the World Economic Forum Africa. Chance for historic change in Tanzania Has democracy failed in Africa? France's Fabius announces final draft at COP21 climate summit © Deutsche Welle 2017