World News Briefs -- February 1, 2016 (Evening Edition)

Reuters: Exclusive: Brazil says Zika virus outbreak worse than believed

Brazil's top health official said on Monday that the Zika virus outbreak is proving to be worse than believed because most cases show no symptoms, but improved testing should allow the country to get a better grip on the burgeoning public health crisis.

Health Minister Marcelo Castro told Reuters that Brazil will start mandatory reporting of cases by local governments next week when most states will have labs equipped to test for Zika, the mosquito-borne virus that has quickly spread through Latin America. The virus has no vaccine or cure at present.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.N. announces start of Syria peace talks as government troops advance.

US General: end of IS ‘Matter of Time’ and more help.

More than 3,000 Syrians fled to Turkey in three days as pro-Assad forces advance.

Death toll up to 70 from Islamic State Damascus attack - monitor.

Syria violence continues amid talks as Baghdad aims at Mosul.

War crimes should not be part of any Syria amnesty: UN.

U.N. asks for $861 mln to help Iraq meet humanitarian bill.

Turkey has spent $9 bn on refugees: Erdogan.

Saudis promise probe amid civilian casualty claims in Yemen. Saudi inquiry into war crime claims in Yemen inadequate, say rights groups.

Saudi Arabia says 375 civilians killed on its border in Yemen war.

Israeli military partially closes main Palestinian city.

Israel's Netanyahu warns Gaza militants against attacking.

ASIA

Tunisia police, Islamist militants clash, two dead: government.

U.S. broadens fight against ISIS with attacks in Afghanistan.

Deadly suicide attack rocks Afghanistan's capital. Afghanistan attack: Kabul suicide bomber 'kills nine'.

Germany offers Afghanistan help to take back migrants.

North Korea says it's capable of making unlimited hydrogen bombs.

Myanmar opens new parliament session after military rule.

Nearly one million investors may have been fleeced in China’s latest Ponzi scheme.

China says U.S. seeks 'hegemony' after South China Sea sailing.

AFRICA

Brutal Boko Haram raid in Nigeria kills as many as 100.

Boko Haram attack: Children burned alive in Nigeria.

Explosions near presidential palace in Somalia, many feared dead.

Isis in Libya is 'major risk to Europe', says French minister.

Africans to press Burundi to accept peacekeepers: diplomats.

South Sudan army accused of suffocating 50 civilians.

Egyptian Christian students stand trial for insulting Islam.

Oxfam: $1.9B in Ebola aid not delivered by donors.

EUROPE

Cyprus president warns UN chief no rush to reach peace deal.

France and Belgium tighten security cooperation post attacks.

10,000 refugee children are missing, says Europol.

Finland to test drones on Russian border as migrant flow grows.

Germany's Merkel under increasing pressure to reduce refugee numbers: ally.

German-Russian ties feel Cold War-style chill over rape case.

Mob calls for assaults on foreigners in Sweden; clashes at UK migrant protests.

Migrant crisis: Finland PM Sipila halts plan to host refugees.

Ukraine's Poroshenko says sanctions against Russia must remain.

‘Wrong' Maidan: Ukraine demands that France’s Canal+ TV take hard-hitting documentary off air.

Chechnya's Kadyrov puts Putin critic Kasyanov in gunsights.

EU warns Britain any membership deal will be hard won.

EU, U.S. fail to strike data transfer pact deal by deadline.

AMERICAS

Live coverage of the events surrounding the U.S. presidential election of 2016.

Democratic, GOP races tight as Iowa kicks off 2016 voting.

Official: Withheld Clinton emails contain 'operational' intel, put lives at risk.

WHO to hold emergency meeting Monday on Zika virus.

Jamaica Prime Minister calls early elections for Feb. 25.

El Salvador ex-leader Francisco Flores dies.

OAS joins efforts to rescue Haiti election process as clock ticks.

Guerrero state: '11 dead' at Mexico teen's birthday party.

Mexican police arrest members of Sinaloa cartel.

Guatemalan soldiers to answer civil war sexual slavery charges in historic trial.

Colombia's FARC rebels will enter politics, seek alliances: leader.

Cost of Rio's 2016 Olympics rises by almost $100 million.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Exclusive: Pentagon to hike spending request to fund fight versus Islamic State.

ISIS threatens feds, military after theft of personal data.

ISIL 'wants its own navy for attacks on cruise ships in the Mediterranean'.

Syrian rebel splits deepen after failed 'merger' with al Qaeda arm.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Alphabet profit sends shares up; overtakes Apple in value.

Barclays and Credit Suisse are fined over US 'dark pools'.

US crude falls $2 on China data, slim hopes of OPEC deal.

Google expected to reveal global revenues grew by 11% to $72bn.