Thursday, March 3, 2016

World News Briefs -- March 3, 2016

Staffan de Mistura United Nations Special Envoy for Syria addresses a news conference after a meeting of the Task Force for Humanitarian Access at the U.N. in Geneva, Switzerland, March 3, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Reuters: Syrian truce fragile but holding overall: U.N. envoy

Syria's cessation of hostilities is holding but remains fragile after six days in which incidents have been contained in the provinces of Homs, Hama, Latakia and Damascus, U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Thursday.

De Mistura said that his office was working closely with Russia and the United States to investigate any fighting and "to quickly intervene in order to make sure that the parties on the ground defuse the situation".

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MIDDLE EAST

Reports of violations in Syrian cease-fire are recorded but not yet verified.

Syria rebel leader killed in Golan car bombing.

Syria conflict: Nationwide power cut - state media. Electricity supply gradually returns in Syria: state media.

US hotline for Syria ceasefire lost in translation.

Iraq hails progress troops achieved in military operation.

Iraq signs deal to repair and maintain its key Mosul dam.

Kurds claim downing of Turkish helicopter bombing them over Iraqi Kurdistan - reports.

Turkey must do more to stop terrorist oil trade, Washington says.

Lebanon's Hezbollah condemns Gulf states for 'terrorist' label.

ASIA

North Korea 'fires missiles' into sea hours after UN vote. North Korea fires missile volley into sea after UN ratchets up sanctions.

US sanctions North Koreans for missile, nuclear programs.

Russia carved out exceptions to North Korean sanctions.

Afghan forces kill Indian consulate suicide attackers.

Kabul sees 'last chance' for peace with Taliban.

Pakistan admits that Afghan Taliban leaders live there.

After Ukraine, Kazakhstan wary of ethnic Russians broaching autonomy.

New Zealand begins final vote on flag change.

AFRICA

UN: Tens of thousands killed in South Sudan war. U.N. official says at least 50,000 dead in South Sudan war.

Starved Boko Haram members surrender to Nigerian military.

LRA rebels 'seize children' in Central African Republic.

Italian hostages probably killed in raid in Libyan city, says Italy.

Somalia sentences al Shabaab media officer to death for killing journalists.

Congo agrees to extradite genocide suspect to Rwanda.

Egypt parliament expels MP Okasha after Israel meeting.

EUROPE

EU's Tusk warns illegal economic migrants: Do not come here. 'Do not come to Europe', Donald Tusk warns economic migrants.

EU referendum: French minister sparks Calais UK border row.

Hope fades for quick end to Ukraine war.

Kremlin regrets U.S. decision to extend sanctions on Russia.

Public support for Putin to serve another term hits highest level in four years: poll.

Russian prosecutors seek 23-year prison term for Ukrainian pilot. Savchenko announces hunger strike after Russian court delays verdict.

France, Britain to seal $2 billion drone deal, tighten security ties.

AMERICAS

Romney on Trump: 'He's playing American people for suckers'.

Venezuela students protest against Supreme Court ruling.

Brazil's economy shrank 3.8% in 2015.

Armed Services chair worried Obama will hand Gitmo over to Cuba.

Argentina spymaster links Fernandez gov’t to Nisman’s death.

Mexico sees spike in H1N1 swine flu cases, 68 people dead.

Mexican drug lord El Chapo Guzman 'requests US extradition'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

House Republican: Obama 'underestimates' Gitmo recidivism.

FBI agent testifies about undercover role in terror probe.

New bin Laden documents show a suspicious, pressured al Qaeda.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil prices ease as glut gloom overcomes budding bulls.

US airlines vie for Cuba flights.

Facebook investigated over market-power abuse claims.

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