World News Briefs -- April 4, 2018

Rouhani, Putin and Erdogan met in the Russian city of Sochi last November [Mikhail Metzel/Reuters]

Al Jazeera: Putin, Erdogan and Rouhani to discuss Syrian crisis in Ankara

Leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran to hold talks to end the conflict amid rapid developments on the ground.

Turkey will host a trilateral meeting on the Syrian crisis between the presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran on Wednesday amid significant developments happening on the ground in the seven-year civil war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Ankara on Tuesday, followed by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the evening, as the leaders meet for the second time since November to discuss the Syrian situation.

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MIDDLE EAST

Turkey hosts critical summit on Syria with Russia, Iran.

Anti-Isis alliance in doubt after Trump's vow to pull US troops from Syria.

Trump: Saudis need to pay if they want US troops to stay in Syria.

Broken by siege, Syria rebels face worst loss yet in Ghouta.

Saudi says oil unaffected by Yemen rebel attack on tanker.

White House calls on Yemeni rebels to cease ‘escalation’.

Iraq grapples with Iranian influence ahead of May elections.

Iraqi elections to test Saudi rapprochement.

Israel arrests 10 Gazans accused of planning naval attack.

Bahrain announces discovery of 80 bn barrels of oil.

ASIA

Japan braces for Trump assault on trade, yen policy as summit looms.

South, North Korea to arrange direct hotline between leaders.

North Korea makes rare apology for banning press from K-pop concert.

N. Korea rights record likely off table at Korean summit: Seoul.

U.S.-designated 'terrorists' vow to run in Pakistan elections.

Myanmar authorities threaten families of Rohingyas who fled to Malaysia.

Indonesia declares state of emergency after oil spill ignites.

AFRICA

Chad, Libya, Niger and Sudan agree to fight transnational "crime".

Amnesty International: Mass grave discovered in Mali.

Somalia: Germany ends military mission in Somalia.

Cameroon frees European hostages taken in Anglophone area. 12 European hostages freed in troubled anglophone Cameroon.

Timbuktu Malian jihadist to face war crimes court.

Kidnapping business thrives in Libya.

In Africa, scant data protection leaves internet users exposed.

EUROPE

Chemical watchdog OPCW meets over Skripal nerve agent case. Russia must cooperate with chemical weapons watchdog, says EU.

Sergei Skripal poisoning: UK military research boss unable to say whether nerve agent was made in Russia.

Volokolamsk: Russians protest toxic landfills near Moscow.

Russia threatens sanctions over Latvian school language reform.

Ukrainian border service plans to detain all ships travelling to and out of Crimea.

France puts 78,000 security threats on vast police database.

French government stands firm as strikes bring more railway chaos.

Number of Salafists in Germany has doubled in past five years: newspaper.

AMERICAS

Migrants at U.S.-Mexico border say Trump's tough talk won't deter them.

AP Source: Mueller says Trump not criminal target currently.

Brazilians protest ahead of ruling in Lula corruption trial.

Brazil army commander 'repudiates impunity' on eve of Lula ruling.

Cuban rum and the end run around the US blockade.

Settlement close in suit accusing NYPD of spying on Muslims.

YouTube HQ shooting: police identify woman who opened fire.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS & Al-Qaeda may merge and produce chemical weapons – FSB chief.

Shin Bet, IDF thwart Islamic Jihad attack on navy boats off Gaza coast.

Trump admin’s new Afghan problem: The Islamic State.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

World shares slide as US-China trade dispute escalates.

Facebook's Zuckerberg to testify before US committee.

Spotify valued at $26bn in unusual stock debut listing.