World News Briefs -- February 5, 2016

Residents inspect damage after airstrikes by pro-Syrian government forces in the rebel held Al-Shaar neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria February 4, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail

Reuters: Thousands flee as Russian-backed offensive threatens to besiege Aleppo

Tens of thousands of Syrians fled an intensifying Russian assault around Aleppo on Friday, and aid workers said they feared the city which once held two million people could soon fall under a full government siege.

Iran reported one of its generals was killed on the front line assisting government forces, direct confirmation of the role Tehran is playing along with Moscow in what appears to be one of the most ambitious offensives in five years of civil war.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Saudi Arabia willing to send ground troops to Syria.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards general, six Basij volunteers killed in Syria: media.

Russia and Turkey trade accusations over Syria.

France claims destruction of Islamic State training camp in Syria.

Syria civil war: Up to 70,000 refugees head to Turkey, says PM.

Syria conflict: Donor nations pledge $10bn in vital aid.

No change in invitations for next round of Syria talks: U.N..

Militant group sidelined as Turkey unveils plan to end Kurdish unrest.

ASIA

China says told North Korea does not want to see tensions rise.

US readies defence assets before North Korea launch.

30,000 North Korean children living in limbo in China.

It's complicated, China says of relationship with Taiwan.

China says 49 detained for Tianjin blasts, losses at $1 billion.

Ancient shipwrecks found underwater, but no missing MH370 plane.

Sakurajima volcano in Japan erupts.

AFRICA

UN peacekeeping base under attack in Mali.

Al-Shabab retakes key Somalia port city of Merca.

Islamic State brings reign of terror to fractured Libya’s Sirte.

ISIL's presence in Libya grows to 5,000 fighters.

Man sucked out of passenger jet after bomb exploded was suicide bomber who smuggled his device on board in his WHEELCHAIR, claim investigators. U.S. experts to join Somalia plane explosion investigation: Officials.

Boko Haram Commander on missing Chibok girls: I know where they are.

Timbuktu marks rebuilding of mausoleums destroyed by Islamists.

Zimbabwe declares 'state of disaster' due to drought. Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe declares drought disaster.

Three missing, 87 rescued after South Africa mine collapse.

EUROPE

Germany's Merkel to travel to Turkey next week over migrants.

German spy agency says ISIS sending fighters disguised as refugees.

Cologne Carnival: Police record 22 sexual assaults.

French parliament debates plan to enshrine emergency powers in constitution. French PM defends emergency rule, says terror threat 'here to last'.

Ukrainian minister hopes resignation will speed up reforms.

Putin not planning new contacts with Erdogan — Kremlin.

Poland surveillance law approved by president.

Unprecedented: Pope Francis, Russian Patriarch Kirill to meet in Cuba to heal 1,000yr rift. First-ever meeting between Pope, Russian Orthodox patriarch ‘prepared for 20 years’.

UN panel calls on UK and Sweden to end Julian Assange's 'deprivation of liberty'. Julian Assange decision by UN panel ridiculous, says Hammond.

AMERICAS

WHO bans blood donations from Zika-infected area visitors.

Florida readies for a fight with Zika virus.

Haitian president promises to step down amid political turmoil.

US economy adds 151,000 jobs in January.

GOP senators: America will be attacked unless Obama changes course.

GOP lawmakers ask to travel to Iran.

Colombia-Farc peace process to receive $450m in US aid.

Classified info found in personal emails of Powell, aides to Rice.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Number of ISIS fighters dropped by 20 per cent in the last year thanks to deaths and desertions, US intelligence report finds.

Bin Laden backers want to crush Islamic State in Afghanistan.

Under mounting pressure, ISIS resorts to suicide attacks.

African terror group Al Shabaab finds American recruits to aid jihad missions.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall St. down as jobs report renews rate rise concerns.

Showdown in Europe over privacy has U.S. firms ducking for cover.

Super Bowl TV commercials are Super business for advertisers.