World News Briefs -- November 15, 2018

Al Jazeera: Saudi-UAE alliance orders halt in Hodeidah attack amid peace push

Air and ground offensive have stopped as the alliance says it backs UN-proposed talks to end the weeks of fighting.

The Saudi-UAE military alliance says it is halting its offensive on the western Yemeni city of Hodeidah, after nearly two weeks of fierce air and ground assault to push out Houthi rebels from the strategic city.

A source in the military alliance told the Reuters news agency on Thursday that "the coalition has instructed forces on the ground to halt fighting inside Hodeidah" - which is the port of entry for most food, aid and commercial goods.

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MIDDLE EAST

Cease-fire halts Yemen offensive; Saudi-led bombing kills 7.

Uneasy calm in Yemen's Hodeida as residents fear renewed violence.

Saudi prosecutor seeks death penalty in Khashoggi murder. Khashoggi killing: Saudi prosecutor seeks death penalty for five suspects.

Saudis shield crown prince as death penalty sought over Khashoggi murder.

Israeli officials call for early elections after defense minister resigns.

Netanyahu plots next moves in Israel coalition crisis.

Hamas celebrates Lieberman resignation as 'political victory'.

ASIA

Sri Lankan politicians brawl in Parliament as turmoil from switching prime ministers continues. Chaos in Sri Lanka parliament as MPs exchange blows.


'Absolute terror': Afghans abandon villages under Taliban attack.

North Korea stresses ethnic unity with South amid missile base controversy.

Pence: Trump and Kim likely to meet next year.

Mike Pence tells Aung San Suu Kyi violence against Rohingyas is 'without excuse'.

Mike Pence: 'Empire and aggression' has no place in Indo-Pacific.

Fiji election: Frank Bainimarama's FijiFirst party well ahead, early results show.

Singapore leader Lee Hsien Loong warns region may have to choose between China and US.

Rohingya in Bangladesh will not be forced back to Myanmar. Bangladesh scraps Rohingya repatriation plan.

AFRICA

HRW denounces Angola's expulsion of 400,000 Congolese.

Sudan in talks with U.S. for removal from terror list, diplomat says.

Ethiopia arrests former deputy spy chief Yared Zerihun.

Madagascar rivals set for election run-off.

Migrants refuse to disembark in Libya after being rescued at sea.

Uganda orders military to protect Chinese businesses.

World Bank, Denmark act against Tanzania over discrimination of girls and gays.

EUROPE

British PM May vows to fight for her Brexit deal and carry on.

Brexit: EU's Barnier warns of 'long road ahead'.

Politics motivated Navalny arrests, European court rules.

Alexei Navalny allowed to leave Russia to attend ECHR case.

Ramzan Kadyrov toasts his Instagram return with ode to pistol.

Paris considers banning cars from its historic centre - including around the Louvre and Notre Dame - in favour of electric shuttles.

AMERICAS

Trump attacks Mueller's Russia inquiry as 'absolutely nuts'.

Trump pushes back on reports of chaos in White House.

US Senators return to Washington intent on action against Saudis.

No US additional troops likely to be sent to Mexico border as tasks dry up: report.

James Mattis defends troop deployment on Mexican border as migrants draw closer.

El Nino triggers landslides in Peru, tornado in Argentina.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Coalition, Iraqi forces target Islamic State leaders and fighters.

Price tag of the ‘war on terror’ will top $6 trillion soon.

US Senator Rand Paul blocking Trump counterterrorism nominee.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US, China clash over WTO at Asia-Pacific meeting.

Zuckerberg KNEW about Russian interference in US election on Facebook when he publicly denied it, smeared critics as anti-Semites and linked activists to billionaire investor George Soros.

Uber loss tops $1bn loss ahead of planned IPO next year.