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France to recognize Palestinian state if talks fail

Saturday, 30 January 2016 1:27 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 30 January 2016 1:28 PM ]

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (Photo by AFP)

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

The fourth day of Iran’s Navy drills is underway in the Sea of Oman and the northern part of the Indian Ocean. The navy tested destroyers, submarines, surface-to-surface missiles and other weapons and equipment. Military divers also launched their operations using camouflage techniques.
The Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution has paid tribute to the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei visited the mausoleum of the late Imam Khomeini, south of Tehran, ahead of the Ten-Day Fajr ceremonies, marking the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Russia has described the first day of the Syria peace talks in Geneva as constructive. Russia's permanent representative to the European office of the United Nations says Moscow supports calls for the Kurds’ participation. He also criticized the Saudi backed opposition group for setting conditions for the talks.
Tel Aviv has rejected a new proposal by France to revive the so-called peace talks between Palestine and Israel. A senior Israeli official has called France’s bid an incentive for the Palestinians. Paris says it will recognize a Palestinian state, if the talks do not make progress.
The UN Security Council has denounced, in the strongest terms, the deadly bombing attack on a Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Iran has also condemned the attack on Imam Reza Mosque. The United States, Germany and Algeria, Kuwait and Egypt’s prominent al-Azhar university also condemned the attack.
Several US senators have criticized Washington’s support for Saudi Arabia as a country which spreads extremist ideology across the world. Chris Murphy says Washington can no longer afford to ignore the negative side of the US alliance with Riyadh as Washington’s fight against extremism becomes more complicated.
Italians are set to hold a rally against a civil union bill for same sex couples which is being discussed in the Senate. Organizers say 350 thousand people are expected to take part in the Family Day rally. Italy is the last major Western country refusing legal status for same-sex couples.
The family of an American protester killed by police in Oregon has rejected the police account of his death. The say he did not pose any threat. Relatives of Robert Finicum say he was shot in the back on Thursday with his hands up, but police say he was reaching for a gun.