TURKEY: Authorities suspended five elected mayors from duty today as part of an ongoing crackdown on the country’s opposition.

Separately, prosecutors have launched an investigation into the leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party over comments made in a speech Wednesday evening. Ozgur Ozel had criticised Istanbul’s chief prosecutor following the jailing mayors’ jailing the previous day as part of a corruption investigation.

CHINA: President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with United States President Donald Trump today, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

President Trump confirmed they talked centred solely on trade, calling the discussions positive and productive. He also confirmed that Chinese students will be welcome to continue to study in the US.

Further trade talks are to be scheduled.

FRANCE: A French citizen accused of shooting dead his Tunisian neighbour in the southern town of Puget sur Argens before wounding a Turkish national was set to appear before an anti-terrorism judge today.

Christophe B shot and killed Miraoui last Saturday. He posted racist videos on social media before and after the attack, according to regional prosecutor Pierre Couttenier.

BRAZIL: The United Nations security council has failed in its mission to promote peace and is in need of immediate reform, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said today.

During a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Mr da Silva remarked that “the UN turns 80 this year, but its serious lack of legitimacy and efficiency is evident.”

He said the number of conflicts taking place “make it clear that the security council’s reform cannot be delayed.”