World News Briefs -- March 9, 2017

BBC: IS conflict: US sends Marines to support Raqqa assault

The US has sent 400 additional troops to Syria to support an allied local force aiming to capture the so-called Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa.

They include Marines, who arrived in the past few days to set up an outpost from which they will be able to fire artillery at IS positions in the city.

Several hundred US special forces soldiers are already deployed, advising Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Coalition air strikes reportedly killed 20 civilians near Raqqa on Thursday.

Several children were among the dead in the IS-held village of Matab, activists say.

The alliance is expected to launch an assault on Raqqa in the coming weeks.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.S. Marines deployed to shoot artillery at Islamic State in Raqqa. US Marines deploy artillery battery to Syria.

Syria activists: Strikes kill at least 20 near IS stronghold.

Suspected coalition raids 'kill 23 civilians' in Syria.

UN: Up to 450,000 IDPs expected in cramped Mosul camps.

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura announces fifth round of Syria talks.

Turkey's PM: Up to Greek Cypriots to push peace talks on.

Putin urges Netanyahu to focus on present Iran ties.

Israeli Arab anger as parliament backs 'muezzin bill'.

ASIA

Myanmar violence: 20,000 people seek refuge in China.

North Korea sold nuclear material online, U.N. panel says.

Moscow warns THAAD deployment in South Korea may start regional arms race.

Kabul attack: Survivors recount carnage inside hospital as militants battled special forces.

Investigation into ISIL claim of Kabul hospital attack.

China urges US to stop hacking other countries following Vault 7 release.

Myanmar 'unlikely' to face UN probe on Rohingya abuses.

Two Malaysians leave N. Korea, nine more stranded in Kim murder row.

Samsung heir goes to court, denies bribing S. Korean president.

AFRICA

Forces allied to Libya’s UN-backed government retake oil ports.

Smugglers kill at least 22 African migrants on Libya beach.

IOC cuts off funding to Kenya, suspension possible next week.

Famine-hit South Sudan hikes fees for work permits.

Recession-hit Nigeria details economic recovery plan.

South Africa asked to appear at ICC in April over Sudan's Bashir.

Algeria's ailing president Bouteflika doing 'very well'.

EUROPE

US General says Russia has deployed banned missile.

Russia denies violating nuclear arms pact with US.

Russian destabilisation of Balkans rings alarm bells as EU leaders meet.

Donald Tusk re-elected as European Council president despite Poland's objections.

Poland threatens to derail EU summit over Donald Tusk re-election.

Merkel: 'Only if Europe is doing well, will Germany be doing well'.

Putin says he is looking forward to Angela Merkel’s visit. Putin tells German FM he wants better ties.

Scotland First Minister Sturgeon suggests 2018 for second independence vote.

In world first, Iceland to require firms to prove equal pay.

AMERICAS

Trump on charm offensive with former rivals.

Hawaii becomes first state to sue over Trump's revised travel ban.

US hails '40% drop' in illegal immigrants from Mexico.

An outbreak in Brazil has U.S. health experts wondering if yellow fever could be the next Zika.

Bolivia to increase coca plant production.

Guatemala mourns after children's home fire kills 28 girls.

Haiti is ready for UN peacekeepers to leave soon.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

IS leader Baghdadi 'flees Mosul' as Iraqi forces advance.

Multi-nation patrol to target ISIL-linked Abu Sayyaf.

Air Force sends B-52s to fight ISIS.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil falls to below $49 per barrel in selloff.

WikiLeaks will give tech companies exclusive access to CIA hacking tools - Assange (VIDEO). Wikileaks is offering tech firms CIA files first.

European Central Bank: Global politics now the bigger risk.

RadioShack files for bankruptcy, faces liquidation.