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UN: Syria talks to kick off on Friday

Friday, 29 January 2016 5:19 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 29 January 2016 5:20 PM ]

UN Syria envoy Staffan De Mistura © AFP

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

The UN says the new round of Syria talks will kick off in Geneva shortly. The UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura will meet with a Syrian government delegation before holding talks with other participants. The main opposition coalition group has not yet decided whether to take part in the talks.
At least four people have been killed and nearly 20 were injured in an attack on a Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. The bomb was detonated at al-Rida mosque in Ahsa region as people were holding Friday prayers. Witnesses say the bombing was followed by gunfire.
Iran’s navy has test-fired four cruise missiles on the third day of its drills in the southern region of Konarak. The new missiles have ranges of 150 to 300 kilometers. Navy commanders say the new missiles are more precise than their predecessors.
Iran’s Navy has released images which it says has been captured of a US warship in an area near the zone where it is conducting naval drills. The Iranian Navy says it spotted the warship and took the images, using a reconnaissance drone and a submarine.
Japan has denounced Israel’s newly-announced settlement projects as a violation of the international law. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Tel Aviv must freeze its settlement activities on Palestinian territories. Meanwhile, Turkey has said Israel’s plans are against the international law and will harm efforts for permanent peace.
Britain has warned that the European Union’s reform proposals in response to its demands for staying in the 28-nation bloc are not yet strong enough. Prime Minister David Cameron said what the EU has put forward is totally different to what had been discussed.
Children in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state have been suffering from severe malnutrition since the Muslim populated region was hit with floods six months ago. The European Community Humanitarian Office says the number of affected children under the age of five was 1,500 back in October and could even be higher in 2016.
The United Nations has reported six more cases of sexual abuse of children by its peacekeepers in the Central African Republic. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says there are serious accusations that troops from Georgia, France and another unnamed country sexually abused children while deployed in the African country.

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