News in Brief -- April 17th -- 02:30 GMT

1. Turkish president Rejep Tayyip Erdogan has declared victory in the country’s constitutional referendum that extends his executive powers.

2. Turkey’s two main opposition parties, CHP and HDP, say they will challenge the results of the constitutional referendum over alleged violations.

3. Syria has called for an international effort to fight terrorism in the war-torn country.

4. The Syrian army, backed by Russian airstrikes, has liberated the town of Suran in Hama province from foreign-backed terrorists.

5. The Iraqi army says Daesh terrorists have used chemical weapons against its forces in the city of Mosul.

6. Palestinians held in Israeli jails are set to launch a mass hunger strike on Monday in protest at their dreadful conditions.

7. The US Vice President has called North Korea’s failed missile test a provocation. Mike Pence said the test underscored the risks faced by the two countries’ militaries.

8. In France, a demonstration against far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen turns violent as police fire tear gas at protesters near Paris.