Tuesday, March 29, 2022

World News Briefs -- March 25, 2022 (Night Edition)

 

BBC: Ukraine war: Russia says it will curb Kyiv assault as peace talks progress 

Russia has announced it will "drastically reduce" military combat operations in two key areas of Ukraine "to boost mutual trust" in peace talks. 

The decision to scale back operations around the capital, Kyiv, and the northern city of Chernihiv is the first sign of tangible progress. 

But it is unclear how extensive any reduction in military activity might be, and Ukraine remains sceptical. 

Russia had already refocused its campaign on Ukraine's eastern regions. 

It has suffered a series of setbacks to the north-west of the capital, Kyiv, and is also seeking to capture a land corridor which stretches along the south coast to the Russian border. 

President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, said he saw no reason to believe the words of some Russian representatives.  

Read more .... 

MIDDLE EAST

Saudi-led coalition announces Yemen ceasefire ahead of peace talks. 

Saudi’s unilateral Yemen cease-fire offer rejected by rebels. 

Blinken assures UAE leader of US help over Houthi attacks. 

U.S. says Iran nuclear deal not imminent amid deadlock over IRGC. 

US, Israel and Arab states to expand cooperation in unprecedented meeting

Israel: at least five dead in Tel Aviv shooting. 

Clashes between ISIL and Kurds kill four in Syrian camp. 

France, Germany and Luxembourg seize assets of Lebanon’s central bank chief. 

ASIA 

Biden says Asia-Pacific region still a priority amid Ukraine war

US national security official to travel to India to discuss Russia response. 

North Korean missile test portrayed in Top Gun-style propaganda video prompts US call for new sanctions

No-confidence motion in Pakistan parliament in bid to remove Khan. 

Solomon Islands defends plans to expand security ties with China, as Canberra, Wellington express concern. 

Omicron ‘stealth’ variant BA.2 is spreading rapidly in China. 

China's foreign minister visits Afghanistan. 

China’s Afghan ambitions on show at multinational meetings. 

Taliban forbid Afghan women from catching flights without male relatives in return to hardline laws. 

Myanmar leader vows to 'annihilate' opponents of army rule, more than a year after military coup. 

AFRICA 

Attacks intensify as Somalia prepares for presidential election. 

M23 rebels attack military positions in eastern Congo. 

DR Congo: UN helicopter goes down in rebel-held area. 

UN helicopter crashes in DR Congo, killing eight peacekeepers aboard. 

UN envoy: Sudan could face economic and security collapse. 

West African bloc ECOWAS to keep Mali sanctions over delayed elections. 

UN Libya mission uncovers abuse, investigates mass graves. 

Ghana passes controversial tax bill after opposition walkout. 

Zimbabwe's new opposition party CCC wins majority of seats in by-elections. 

EUROPE 

Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 35 of the Russian invasion. 

Relief for Kyiv? Russia vows to scale back near the capital. 

Western leaders wary of Russia's announcement on reduction of military activity

No one in Russia is thinking about using nuclear weapons, Kremlin spokesman says. 

Putin spokesman: Biden comment in Poland a 'personal insult'. 

Ukraine war: Dozens of Russian diplomats expelled by four EU nations. 

In Europe, soaring petrol prices become the new normal

French far-right leader Le Pen closing gap on Macron: polls. 

AMERICAS 

Despite bipartisan demands for tough US action, Senate sputters on bill to punish Russia. 

Biden's $5.8T budget proposes one of the 'largest' investments in US national security amid war in Ukraine. 

Manchin shoots down Biden's new billionaire tax plan. 

Embarrassing moment FBI cyber chief admits to not knowing what the agency has done with Hunter Biden's seized laptop - as Florida Republican Matt Gaetz whips out a copy of the hard drive and has it admitted into Congress as evidence. 

Brazil's Bolsonaro admitted to hospital after feeling 'unwell'. 

Haitians protest rising insecurity; some burn a plane. 

Honduras court approves extradition of ex-president Hernandez to US. 

Gunmen kill 20 people at illegal cockfight in Mexico. 

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Israel arrests five suspects after deadly Islamic State group attack. 

Iran hasn't agreed to U.S. conditions for removing IRGC from terror list. 

What happened to the jihadists known as the IS Beatles? 

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Wall Street builds on gains as talks on Ukraine progress. 

Ukraine war drives US, EU deal to undercut Russian energy

Russia will ‘always’ be a part of OPEC+, UAE energy minister says. 

Blockchain project Ronin hit by $590m crypto heist.

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