Wednesday, March 25, 2015

World News Briefs -- March 25, 2015



Reuters: Hollande, Merkel, Rajoy arrive in Alps for crash tribute

(Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived together by helicopter on Wednesday in the remote Alpine region where an Airbus plane smashed into a mountain, ahead of an international tribute to the 150 victims.

The two leaders were flown over the nearby ravine where the Germanwings airliner came down on Tuesday, Hollande's office said. Spain's Mariano Rajoy later joined them in the village of Seyne-les-Alpes, headquarters of search operations.

MIDDLE EAST

Yemen's President flees his house in Aden as rebels advance. Yemeni President flees palace as Houthis advance south. Reports: Yemen's Houthis advance towards Aden.

Shiite rebels arrest Yemen’s defense minister.

Saudi Arabia moves heavy arms to border with chaos-stricken Yemen.

Report: Hundreds of thousands live under siege in Syria.

Turkish military fires shells in retaliation to stray Syrian rocket that injures 5 at border.

Syrian forces down Turkish drone in Aleppo – military source.

Iran reacts to snap nuclear inspections call.

Iran to insist all sanctions lifted in any nuclear deal: foreign minister.

ASIA

Ghani: Islamic State "terrible threat" to western, central Asia.

Pakistan 'kills 30 militants in air strikes'.

At least seven dead in suicide attack in Kabul.

Taliban says U.S. troop cut delay hurts peace prospects.

Myanmar students and activists charged over protest clashes.

230 suspected jihadis prevented from leaving Australia.

China US inch closer on Asia Fund as deadline approaches.

Vanuatu officials warn of food, water shortages.

Tearful Singaporeans say farewell to Lee Kuan Yew.

AFRICA

Sanctions threat will not deter counter-attacks: South Sudan president.

Islamic State group claims deadly bombing in Libya. Islamic State militants kill five pro-Tripoli government fighters: Libyan news agency.

Official: Boko Haram kidnaps hundreds of Nigerian civilians.

UN refugee agency: Cameroon needs help to assist Nigerian refugees who fled Boko Haram.

Remittance cuts a threat to Somalia’s food security.

Cameroon hosts conference on Islamic fundamentalism.

Glimmers of hope in Central Africa Republic but peace elusive.

EUROPE

Germanwings plane crash: Leaders visit Alps site.

Russian forces kill over 250 militants in North Caucasus in 2014 — interior minister.

Ultra-nationalist Ukrainian militia gears up for more fighting. Ultra-nationalist Ukrainian battalion gears up for more fighting.

Ukraine arrests two top officials at cabinet meeting.

Moody's cuts Ukraine credit rating on negative forecast.

Greece pledges full list of reforms within the week. Greece fails in bid for early cash release, reforms awaited.

Greeks celebrate independence as EU creditors discuss their fate.

AMERICAS

Afghan President Ghani to address US Congress.

Marches in Argentina on 39th anniversary of military coup.

US soldiers and contractors sexually abused 54 under age Colombian girls and even made their assaults into pornography and will never face charges, report claims.

U.S. ATF had to ditch $600,000 worth of surveillance drones: watchdog.

47% of American households save nothing.

Report: Va. governor received special treatment from Homeland Security.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Video shows Al Qaeda operating TOW anti-tank missiles in Syria.

FBI adapts to face terrorism threats but still faces challenges, report finds.

U.S. sees ‘more sophistication’ in Islamic State cyber capabilities.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Kraft Foods to merge with Heinz.

Beyond Iran And Pakistan: 7 nuclear wannabes.

Saudis claw back global market share with oil output push.

Slavery taints global supply of seafood.

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