Brussels terrorist attacks draw global condemnation

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Brussels terrorist attacks are drawing international condemnation. The French Prime Minister described the attacks as acts of war against Europe. Pope Francis also slammed the blind violence, offering his prayers for the victims. British Prime Minister David Cameron called the attacks appalling and savage.
• United Nations Chief Ban Ki-moon has denoucned the Daesh terror attacks in Brussels, demanding those behind the deadly bombings be swiftly brought to justice. The UN Security Council has also condemned the attacks, with its members stressing the need to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism.
• Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has strongly condemned the deadly terror attacks in Brussels. He offered his deepest condolences to the Belgian government and people, particularly those who lost their loved ones. in a phone call with his Belgian counterpart, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged joint efforts to fight terrorism.
• US Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has once again called for closing the country’s borders to Muslims following the Brussels terror attacks. Trump’s rival Ted Cruz has blamed the bombings on Europe's open immigration policies. Cruz demanded that law enforcement officers patrol Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized.
• New commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General John Nicholson has apologized for last year's deadly bombing of a medical facility in the Afghan city of Kunduz. The Pentagon last week disciplined those military personnel involved in the airstrikes. However, none of them have faced criminal charges.
• US President Barack Obama has wrapped up his landmark visit to Cuba. Prior to his departure, Obama said he had come to Cuba to quote bury the last remnants of the Cold War in the Americas. However, he noted that differences between the two coutnries remain.
• Saudi warplanes have targeted the Yemeni provinces of Shabwah, Sana'a and Ta'izz in their latest airstrikes against the impoverished country. The attacks came shortly after former regime officials spoke of UN-brokered peace talks to be held in Kuwait before the end of April. Over 85 hundred people have been killed in the Saudi war on Yemen.
• Thousands of Bahraini mourners have attended a funeral procession for pro-democracy Shia cleric and an outspoken critic of the ruling Al-Khalifah rgime Sayyed Jawad Wedai. Many political and social figures also paid tribute to the cleric who passed away at the age of 93.

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