The ceasefire in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo that was due to expire last night has been extended by 48 hours. The extension comes after nearly 300 deaths in the city since the end of last month.

Increased violence wrecked the 10-week-old partial truce sponsored by Russia and the US. The two countries are now redoubling their peace efforts and trying to extend a Syria-wide truce which was implemented at the end of February.