World News Briefs -- May 5, 2016

Reuters: Truce takes hold in Aleppo but fighting goes on elsewhere in Syria

A cessation of hostilities agreement brokered by Russia and the United States brought a measure of relief to the battered Syrian city of Aleppo on Thursday but President Bashar al-Assad said he still sought a total, crushing victory over rebel forces.

Syrian state media said the army would abide by a "regime of calm" in the city that came into effect at 1 a.m. (6.00 p.m. ET on Wednesday) for 48 hours, and relative calm prevailed on Thursday morning after two weeks of death and destruction.

The army blamed Islamist insurgents for violating the agreement overnight by what it called indiscriminate shelling of some government-held residential areas of divided Aleppo. But residents said the violence had eased by morning and more shops had opened up.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria conflict: Uneasy calm in Aleppo as partial truce declared. Truce takes hold in Aleppo but fighting goes on elsewhere in Syria. Fresh strikes around Syria's Aleppo despite ceasefire.

US worried political chaos in Iraq will hurt IS fight.

Iraq routed IS from Ramadi at a high cost: A city destroyed.

Iraq’s PM replaces military commander over Green Zone breach.

Al Qaeda militants begin to leave two Yemeni towns: residents.

Turkey PM Ahmet Davutoglu to quit amid reports of Erdogan rift.

Israel says found second Hamas tunnel from Gaza since 2014 war.

Israeli military carries out air strikes on Gaza.

ASIA

Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia to coordinate against militant pirates. East Asia trio agree to boost maritime security.


Finishing touches in North Korea capital ahead of rare party meeting.

Despite sanctions and isolation, Pyongyang skyline grows.

Helicopter corruption case rocks Indian parliament.

Bangladesh opposition leader loses death penalty appeal. Bangladesh Islamist leader Motiur Rahman Nizami loses final appeal.

Japan's Abe says he will work with whoever wins U.S. election.

Pakistan elders 'ordered girl's killing' in Abbottabad.

AFRICA

Intelligence official: Islamic State growing in Somalia.

Burundi police say 450 people killed in political violence in past year.

Libya oil output could fall if Hariga port dispute continues.

DR Congo cracks down on 'foreign mercenaries'.

Uganda bans media coverage of election result protests.

Zimbabwe to print own version of US dollar.

Kenya electoral body prepares for 2017 vote, dismisses calls to quit.

Kenya: Woman found alive after 6 days in collapsed building.

EUROPE

Russia to deploy troops to counter growing NATO presence.

'Resurgent Russia': New hardline NATO Europe commander raises hackles in Moscow.

Russia issues fresh threats against unaligned Nordic states.

Labour set to recapture London after bitter mayoral campaign.

‘Islam does not belong in Germany’: 60% agree with AfD.

Spanish court seeks arrest of Putin-linked Russians.

Greek parliament to vote on tax, pension reforms before Eurogroup meeting.

European Central Bank to withdraw €500 note.

AMERICAS

Alberta declares state of emergency as wildfire forces Fort McMurray evacuation. New evacuations around fire-struck Fort McMurray in energy heartland.

Brazilian justice suspends house speaker, foe of president. Brazil court suspends Lower House Speaker Eduardo Cunha.

Brazil crisis: Rousseff tells BBC she will fight on.

Trump starts VP search after last rival drops out.

Romanian hacker Guccifer: I breached Clinton server, 'it was easy'.

U.S. jobless claims rise; planned layoffs surge.

Illegal immigrant numbers skyrocket at Mexican border.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Australia’s top ISIS recruiter killed in US airstrike. Australian IS recruiter Neil Prakash 'killed in Iraq'.

UN diplomat says Islamic State seeking new revenue streams.

Top U.S. intel official: ISIS can stage Europe-style attacks in U.S..

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. regulators ban e-cigarette, cigar sales to minors.

Cupertino's mayor: Apple 'abuses us' by not paying taxes.

Alibaba profits triple as mobile sales soar.