World News Briefs -- February 3, 2018

Al Arabiya/AFP: President Erdogan says Turkish military operation in Afrin about to end

The President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Saturday that the military operation in Afrin is about to end.

His statement comes after Turkish forces gained control of the strategic mount-Darmak in Afrin, Syria. According to Anadolu news agency, the forces reportedly raised the Turkish flag at its peak.

The Turkish forces also gained control of Mount Barsia.

According to the Turkish side, the importance of Mount Darmak lies in its strategic position used to bomb the border city of Kalis with missiles fired by the Kurdish protection forces.

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MIDDLE EAST

US investigating possible sarin gas attacks in Syria: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Syria war: Outcry over 'mutilated' female Kurdish fighter.

Syrian refugees fleeing violence shot at and beaten at Turkish border, Human Rights Watch says. HRW urges Turkey to end 'lethal force' against fleeing Syrians.

Rebel stronghold in northwestern Syria heavily bombed.

Syria conflict: Air strike cripples underground hospital.

Israel strikes Hamas targets following rocket fire.

Saudi and UAE move to end standoff in Yemen's Aden.

Palestinian-American brings #MeToo campaign to West Bank.

Nearly 30 Iranian women arrested in Tehran hijab protests.

ASIA

Exclusive: North Korea earned $200 million from banned exports, sends arms to Syria, Myanmar - U.N. report.

UN chief calls for 'peaceful denuclearization' of Korean peninsula.

North Korean diplomats en route to Moscow for consultations.

Winter Olympics: North Korea presses ahead with military parade.

Myanmar denies existence of five mass graves of Rohingya muslims in village as government insists only 'terrorists' were killed and buried.

Maldives delay in freeing opposition leaders fuels domestic, international concern.

'Dozens' of Taliban militants killed in southern Afghanistan.

International Criminal Court judges consider Afghanistan war crimes inquiry.

Terror attacks - Af-Pak relations hit a new low.

China vs. Taiwan - controversy over flight route M503.

Hopes wither for World War II peace treaty as Russian military muscles onto Kurils.

Mini-van ploughs into pedestrians in Shanghai, injuring 18 people.

AFRICA

Nile dam dispute: Troops mass on Sudan-Eritrea border.

Exclusive: U.S. to impose arms embargo on South Sudan to end conflict - sources.

Libya: 90 migrants feared dead in boat accident.

Third Kenyan opposition figure arrested amid crackdown.

Head of Nigeria's anti-corruption court charged with bribery.

Nigerian prison 'turns inmates into animals'.

Thousands protest in Morocco over new coal mine 'martyr'.

Zimbabwe's exiled farmers urged to return home as agricultural industry struggles.

Zimbabwe opposition leader 'attacked' on campaign trail.

Miners rescued from Beatrix gold mine in South Africa.

EUROPE

Russian accused of running spam network extradited to US. Russia says U.S. 'hunting' for Russians to arrest around the world.

Russian GDP growth still forecast below 2 percent.

Greek Cypriots to vote in runoff in hopes of peace deal.

Germany's potential coalition partners seek to overcome health, labor disputes.

Italy drive-by shootings: Suspect captured, officials say.

French government warns levels of violence in Calais are 'unbearable' and like 'never seen before' after five migrants were shot during a giant brawl involving people smugglers.

Pressure mounts on Poland to back away from Holocaust bill.

Russian oligarchs in UK told to explain luxury lifestyles.

Russia marks Stalingrad defeat of Nazis.

AMERICAS

Trump taking tougher stance on Russia nuclear threat.

No progress on 'Dreamers' as another U.S. shutdown looms.

Venezuela military ouster remarks dog Tillerson in Latin America. Tillerson says Venezuelan military may turn on Maduro.

Canada's PM talks tough on NAFTA, repeats he could walk away.

Fidel Castro's eldest son 'Fidelito' takes his life after months of depression.

Hawaii false alarm worker: I was 100% sure it was real.

Archaeologists found thousands of hidden structures in the Guatemalan jungle — and it could re-write human history.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US imposes sanctions on Hezbollah affiliates.

US warns countries warned against helping terrorists acquire nuke weapons.

London mosque attacker sentenced to life in prison.

Trinidad's jihadis: how tiny nation became Isis recruiting ground.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow plummets 666 points, capping worst week in 2 years. Dow sees sharpest drop since June 2016.

Amazon stock market value on verge of eclipsing Microsoft.

Jeff Bezos adds billions to his fortune as Amazon reports profit surge.

Bitcoin braces for worst week since 2013.

US orders Wells Fargo to halt expansion over scandal which revealed millions of phony accounts were created without customer consent.