News / News Bulletin

Iran, Turkey presidents hold talks on regional issues

Saturday, 16 April 2016 12:55 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 16 April 2016 12:54 PM ]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) reviews an honour guard with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani during an official welcoming ceremony at the presidential complex in Ankara on April 16, 2016. (AFP)

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has been officially welcomed in Turkey by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two sides are expected to hold talks on the enhancement of bilateral ties and other issues of mutual interest.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says access to the global financial system was the goal of the nuclear deal and that the US shouldn't block it. He was speaking at a joint press conference with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini who said Iran has kept its side of the bargain.
The Syrian city of Aleppo comes under a fresh militant rocket attack. At least four Syrians were killed in the attack on Maidan district. Militant rocket attacks are usually inaccurate and cause civilian casualties. Residential areas in Aleppo have been repeatedly targeted by terrorist groups.
Indian forces have shot dead one more protester in the disputed Kashmir region. The 19-year-old man was killed during a demonstration against the killings of four other Kashmiri protesters in the past three days. The rallies have been triggered by the alleged sexual abuse of a girl by an Indian troop.
The UN rights chief has criticized US presidential hopefuls for inciting violence and prejudice against minorities. Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein implicitly accused Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump of exploiting fear and resorting to bigotry in campaigning. The UN official further criticized other candidates for advocating surveillance and invasive measures targeting Muslims.
The Syrian government’s top negotiator, Bashar al-Ja’afari, has described the latest round of Geneva peace talks with the United Nations mediator as constructive. UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, says the fresh round of talks will focus on a political transition in the war-hit country.
The United Nations Security Council has denounced North Korea’s failed attempt to test a ballistic missile. The body said the launch violated UN resolutions and called on Pyongyang to stop the development of its ballistic missile technology. China has also blasted North Korea’s failed test-launch.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says rescue teams have been deployed to the south where a magnitude-7 earthquake hit Kyushu island, leaving 19 people dead. Over 1,000 others have been injured. On Thursday, another powerful quake killed nine people in the same area.