World News Briefs -- January 26, 2016

Al Jazeera.com: Tide turns in Syrian war with capture of key town

Fall of Sheikh Maskin to government forces cuts off rebel supply routes while securing regime's hold on Deraa province.

The Syrian army has captured a key southern town from rebel forces after weeks of fierce fighting, a Syrian activist group says.

The fall of Sheikh Maskin on Monday means government forces will strengthen their hold on Deraa province, while cutting off rebel factions from key supply lines.

Deraa, the scene of the earliest protests against the Syrian government in 2011, contains routes crucial to both the Syrian army and rebel fighters.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.N. invites warring parties to Syria talks this week.

Bombings kill 20 in Syria as peace talks invitations go out.

Deadly blasts claimed by ISIL rock Syria's Homs city.

Lavrov accuses US of refusing to hold military coordination with Russia on Syria.

Yemen's PM returns to Aden; Saudi airstrikes kill civilians.

Grandson of Iran's Islamic Republic founder barred from poll.

US & Iran in talks to resume direct flights after 36-year hiatus.

Iranian leader asks Pope to pray for him after Vatican talks.

ASIA

'Insider' attack kills 10 Afghan police.

Pakistani extremists remember 2015 violence in graphic detail.

Power struggle in Vietnam concludes.

Tajik authorities seek tighter control over internet traffic.

UN seeks drought relief for North Korea.

China denounces 'irresponsible' U.S. official's remarks on North Korea.

China stocks tumble 6 percent as oil price slips.

Malaysia says metal found on Thai beach is not from missing MH370.

AFRICA

Kenya troops 'pull out of Somali el-Ade and Badhadhe bases'.

Suicide bombers kill 32, wound dozens in northern Cameroon.

Egypt marks fifth anniversary of pro-democracy uprising in muted fashion.

Libya lost $68B from attacks on oil, industry chief say.

New Libya unity govt to be proposed within 10 days: official.

UN panel: South Sudan rival leaders qualify for sanctions.

UN seeks $820 million for crises in Central, West Africa.

EUROPE

EU opens new counterterrorism center.

EU to extend border checks amid refugee crisis, terror fears.

Denmark to seize migrant assets to cover costs.

Kremlin calls claim of corruption against Putin "pure speculation and defamation". Russia BBC Panorama: Kremlin demands 'Putin corruption' proof.

Russia won't negotiate Crimea’s return with anyone — FM.

Ukraine to get up to $10 billion in foreign aid in 2016.

Opposition groups in Moldova unite to protest new government. Moldova PM Pavel Filip rejects calls to step down.

Pope Francis, Iranian President meet face-to-face at the Vatican.

AMERICAS

Feds foresee $30 trillion debt, blame looming tax hikes and Obamacare.

Clinton v Sanders: Democrats spar ahead of Iowa caucus.

Obama bans solitary confinement for juveniles and low-level offenders.

Haiti edges toward interim government after election collapse.

UN backs mission to monitor Colombia peace deal.

Brazil sends in 200,000 soldiers to stop the spread of the Zika virus outbreak which has seen huge numbers of babies born with small heads.

Canada will sign TPP trade deal Feb. 4, but ratification not certain.

At least 44 people die as result of snowstorm that hit East.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State plans attacks from camps in Europe, Europol says.

Report: Syria's al-Nusra 'more dangerous' than ISIS.

Authorities say up to 1,000 Tajiks joined IS in Syria, Iraq.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Guy who called $30 oil year ago has more bad news.

Ford pulls out of Japan and Indonesia.

A tidal wave of corporate migrants seeking (tax) shelter.