Merkel calls for decisive response to terror attacks

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi has warned certain Arab countries about their support for Saudi Arabia’s divisive policies. Qasemi slammed Riyadh for what he called its blatant alliance with Israel, blaming Saudi policies for the failure of the Arab League summit in Mauritania.
   
• Syria has opened three humanitarian corridors for people and a fourth route for militants to leave Aleppo. Government forces have already cut off all supply routes into the northern city’s militant-held areas. President Bashar al-Assad has offered amnesty to militants who lay down arms in Aleppo.
   
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a decisive response to the recent terrorist attacks in the country. Merkel condemned the attacks as shocking, depressing and terrifying, adding that terrorists are seeking to divide Germany. She also rejected calls from the opposition to reverse the country’s refugee policy.
   
• House prices have continued to rise in Britain following the Brexit vote. The price growth rate has hit five point two percent in July, the fastest annual pace in four months. Banks and building societies also recorded their strongest figures in eight years in June.
   
• The UN aid chief has raised the alarm over an imminent disaster in the Lake Chad region as a result of violence by the Boko Haram militant group. Speaking at the Security Council, Stephen O’Brien said more than nine million people in the region are in dire need of food aid.
   
• Thousands of children living in war zones and conflict-stricken countries have been detained without charge. A new report by Human Rights Watch suggests an unspecified number of under-18-year-olds have been tortured, or have lost their lives while in custody for their alleged association with armed groups.
   
• Whistle-blower website WikiLeaks has released dozens of audio files which it claims have been pulled from emails of the Democratic National Committee. In one recording, a supporter of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton can be heard complaining about Sanders’ influence in the party.
   
• Several Palestinians have been wounded or arrested in fresh Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank. Four were injured and as many arrested when Israeli forces attacked the Duhayshah refugee camp in the city of Bethlehem. Twelve other Palestinians were also apprehended in overnight raids in other areas.

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