Syria cease-fire excludes terrorist-held areas: Iran

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Iran’s deputy foreign minister says the nationwide ceasefire in Syria does not include areas held by terrorist groups. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that cessation of hostilities in the war-torn country will begin as soon as possible.
• The International Syria Support Group has agreed on cessation of hostilities and expansion of humanitarian aid in the Arab country. US Secretary of State John Kerry said a nationwide ceasefire should be implemented within a week. His Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov also said that with a ceasefire, access to all besieged areas in Syria will be secured.
• A London-based monitor, affiliated with the anti-Syria groups, says Russia has started delivering humanitarian aid to residents in Syria’s eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Russian cargo ships dropped aid on parts of the city which are under siege by Daesh terrorists.
• The UN human rights investigator for Gaza and the West Bank says Israel’s use of excessive force against Palestinians is a grim reminder of the unsustainable human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian territory. Makarim Wibisono called on Israel to release Palestinians, being held without charge or trial and bring the perpetrators to justice.
• US democratic presidential candidates face off at the University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin debating over issues like healthcare and the Wall Street. Bernie Sanders accused Hillary Clinton of being indebted to the financial sector for its big donations. Clinton hit back by accusing Sanders of making healthcare promises that he cannot make good on.
• Asian stocks have seen a sharp decrease amid worries over the global economy. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index slumped 4.84 percent. The broader Topix index of all first-section shares fell 5.43 percent. Hong Kong stocks ended the morning session in the red extending the previous day's near-four percent plunge.
• In Spain, police stormed the offices of the ruling Popular Party and construction firm OHL as part of a corruption investigation. Judicial sources say authorities are looking into alleged payment of illegal commissions for the award of public works contracts worth 260 million dollars.
• Zika has taken its first toll in Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro says at least three Venezuelans have died of the disease. Maduro also said there are 3-hundred nineteen Zika cases in Venezuela. The Zika virus is blamed for some birth defects including abnormally small heads in new born babies.

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