Top Russian, US diplomats hold phone talks on Syria

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Russia’s foreign minister has told his US counterpart that the flow of supplies from Turkey to terrorists in Syria must be halted. In a telephone conversation, Sergey Lavrov and John Kerry also stressed the need to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.
• The Syrian military says the ceasefire in the city of Aleppo and its countrysides will be extended for 48 hours. The statement comes shortly before the current truce was to expire. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has urged warring sides to resume peace talks as soon as possible.
• At least 16 people have been killed in a car bomb blast in eastern Iraq. The bombing happened near a busy restaurant in the city of Baquba. Over 50 other people have also been injured. Such attacks in Iraq are usually blamed on Daesh terrorists.
• At least 13 people have been killed in Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes north of the Yemeni capital Sana’a. The air attacks took place despite a UN-brokered truce deal between the warring sides in April. Over 9,400 Yemenis have been killed since Saudi Arabia began its deadly aggression over a year ago.
• A group of Iranian lawmakers have urged President Hassan Rouhani to impose a deadline on the P5+1 countries over the implementation of the nuclear deal. The MPs have also accused the US of backpedaling on the agreement and sabotaging the deal.
• US Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton has criticized the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which pushes for a ban on goods made in Israeli settlements. She says the movement is counterproductive, and does not lead to peace between Israel and Palestinians. Clinton has constantly expressed her full support for Israel.
• Spain's far-left party, Podemos, has announced that it has reached an agreement with the United Left party to form a coalition for general elections in June. Opinion polls show that such a coalition increases their chances to win more votes and parliamentary seats than the country's Socialists.
• Brazil’s Senate leader, Renan Calheiros, says the impeachment process against President Dilma Roussef will not be halted. This, after the acting speaker of Brazil's lower house, Waldir Maranhao, annulled a vote in the legislative body that allowed the proceedings to go on to the Senate.

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