World News Briefs -- March 4, 2016 (Evening Edition)

Reuters: Arrest of Lula, hero to millions, in corruption probe stuns Brazil

Rising from a shoeshine boy to become Brazil's first working class president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is a hero to millions of Brazilians and the very face of change in Latin America's biggest country.

His detention for questioning on Friday in a massive corruption probe may also make him a symbol for many Brazilians of another trend: the end of impunity for the nation's powerful.

A 70-year-old metalworker and union leader who governed Brazil from 2003 until 2010, Lula presided over an economic boom that raised Brazil's profile on the world stage, lifted more than 40 million people out of poverty and enabled him to hand-pick a successor candidate, President Dilma Rousseff.

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MIDDLE EAST

Biden heads to Mideast for talks on security, Syria, Iran.

Progress 'visible' in Syria ceasefire, says UN envoy. Syria conflict: Truce 'boosts peace talks', leaders agree.

European leaders urge Russia to maintain Syria ceasefire.

Jets strike outskirts of Syria's Douma for first time since truce: monitor.

Syrian rebel group says government mobilizing to take more areas. Syrian rebel group says war has not stopped.

Iraqis fear collapse of poorly-maintained Mosul dam.

Turkish court jails two Syrians over drowning of toddler Aylan - media.

Iran invites Boeing for talks, a stride toward business ties with the U.S..

16 dead in gun attack on Yemen care home.

ASIA

China's annual parliament meets under economic clouds.

China accuses the U.S. of ‘militarizing’ the South China Sea.

China warning on US push for Asian 'quadrilateral' security dialogue.

Indian Army: Troops kill 3 rebels in gunbattle in Kashmir.

North Korea leader tells military to be ready to use nuclear weapons.

South Korea expects backlash after UN sanctions on North.

Vietnam's Communists put to test as dissidents bid for Parliament.

AFRICA

Libya health minister demands release of frozen funds.

Kerry meets U.N. envoy for Libya, repeats support for unity government.

Seawater pipeline attack heralds fresh trouble in Nigeria's Delta.

UN: 25 died in last month's terror attack on South Sudan camp.

Soldiers plotting to destabilise G. Bissau will 'pay with life': army chief.

Zimbabwe's Mugabe will not pick successor, wants to live to 100.

Mugabe: Government will now own all Zimbabwe's diamonds.

UN registered 99 sex abuse claims against staff in 2015.

Kenya: Report warns on big wildlife losses.

EUROPE

Fresh French-German push for Ukraine rebel polls flounders.

EU courts Turkey and outlines plan to save open borders.

Migrant crisis: Asylum seekers in EU 'doubled in 2015'.

Croatian government moves to enable army to help control border.

Refugee crisis: Afghanistan ruled safe enough to deport asylum-seekers from UK.

Russia threatens counter-measures after U.S. extends sanctions.

Ukraine crisis: Growing sense of despair.

Serbian president dissolves parliament, calls for early vote.

Irish PM's party will only lead minority government if stability assured.

Kosovo opposition contest election of new president.

AMERICAS

Released from questioning, Brazil's Lula says 'has nothing to fear'.

Brazil's Rousseff dismayed at police questioning of Lula.

Brazil Petrobras scandal: Former president Lula detained. Brazilian police question ex-president in corruption probe. Brazil's ex-president Lula detained in corruption probe.

Rivals protesters clash outside Brazilian ex-president Lula's home.

Rivals rip Trump but promise support if he is the nominee.

Obama urged not to visit Argentina on 40th anniversary of military coup.

Exclusive: White House and states to craft Zika attack plan at summit.

Gangs blamed for 11 deaths in rural El Salvador.

El Chapo entered US twice while on the run after prison break, daughter claims.

Latin America to tackle dual problems of hunger and obesity: U.N..

U.S. trade deficit widens as exports hit 5-1/2-year low.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Senior Isil operative responsible for murder of Western journalists killed in Aleppo air strike.

Drone kills four suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemen.

Osama Bin Laden’s Files: Boko Haram’s leader wanted to be ‘under one banner’.

Al-Qaeda threatens: ‘We are coming’ to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

The mystery Madoff victims who left $2.5 billion on the table.

U.S. payrolls surge, bolster Fed rate hike prospects.

Facebook to pay millions of pounds more in UK tax.

UN human rights chief backs Apple in FBI encryption row.