Monday, February 25, 2019

World News Briefs -- February 25, 2019 (Evening Edition)

Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations, listens to speakers during a panel discussion on Afghanistan at the Conservative Political Action conference (CPAC) in Washington, February 12, 2011. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

Reuters: U.S., Taliban resume Afghan peace talks before spring fighting season

KABUL/PESHAWAR,Pakistan (Reuters) - The top U.S. envoy for peace in Afghanistan met a senior Taliban leader in Qatar on Monday as the two sides resumed talks to end 17 years of war despite the insurgents’ continued refusal to deal with the Kabul government.

Zalmay Khalilzad, named last year to lead the U.S. peace effort, met Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban and the movement’s political chief, for the first time in Doha. Talks were expected to run for at least four days.

“Just finished a working lunch with Mullah Baradar and his team. First time we’ve met. Now moving on to talks,” Khalilzad tweeted.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Exodus from last IS enclave overwhelms Syria force.

US to keep 10 percent of its fighting forces in Syria, reversing Trump’s planned full withdrawal.

As US withdraws troops from Syria, France and UK remain in the back seat.

U.S. pressing Gulf states to keep Syria isolated: sources.

Assad meets Khamenei in first Iran visit since Syrian war began.

Iran’s president faces calls to resign over economic crisis.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif abruptly resigns.

Rebels, government forces begin withdrawing from key Yemen ports.

American held hostage in Yemen freed: Trump.

ASIA

Donald Trump thanks ‘helpful’ Xi Jinping as Vietnam fine-tunes security in Hanoi for summit with Kim Jong-un.

Trump: North Korea 'could be great power' without nuclear weapons.

Official: China will step up military, diplomatic pressure against Taiwan.

2018 was the deadliest year for Afghan civilians since the UN started keeping track.

'We want war to end': Afghan talks kick off in Doha.

5 dead in Kashmir, shops stage boycott of crackdown by India.

Kashmiris face uncertain future as violence escalates.

Pakistan to fence 950km of border with Iran.

UN top court tells UK to end rule of Chagos Islands 'rapidly'.

AFRICA

US airstrike kills 35 al-Shabab fighters in Somalia. US strike in Somalia kills 35 'terrorists': Pentagon.

Burkina Faso's forces kill nearly 30 'terrorists' in operation: Military.

Nigeria elections: Main opposition rejects initial vote results.

Sudan's Bashir bans protests, regulates foreign currency trade.

Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi: Europe cannot 'teach us' about rights.

German foreign minister: 'We can learn from Sierra Leone'.

South African power cuts darken ANC's election outlook.

Algeria PM Ouyahia: Let voters decide on Bouteflika.

Incumbent Macky Sall wins Senegal presidential election: PM.

EUROPE

Brexit: Pressure mounts on Theresa May to delay exit from EU.

British PM May says deal within grasp, Brexit delay won't solve crisis.

Britain's Labour Party will support second Brexit referendum if Tories don't adopt EU deal proposals.

Italian right wins Sardinia vote, 5-Star fades.

Moldova: Pro-Russian party leads without majority.

Russian state TV shows map of potential US nuclear targets.

EU, Arab leaders proclaim 'new era' despite human rights split.

TV ratings for Putin's annual speech dip to lowest since 2013.

AMERICAS

U.S. imposes new sanctions on Venezuela as Pence delivers warning.

Guaido ramps up pressure after deadly Venezuela border clashes.

US VP Mike Pence meets Venezuela's Juan Guaido at Lima Group summit in Colombia.

Venezuela's Guaido faces credible threats to his life: Lima Group.

Guatemala war survivors demand justice, not amnesty for military.

Cubans ratify new constitution enshrining one-party socialist system.

Ex-security officials: 'No factual basis' for Trump wall.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS commander code-named 'Prince of Battles' because of the large number of assaults he took part in, is captured in Iraq.

Iraq says it will prosecute French ISIL fighters.

Britain to join U.S., others by banning Hezbollah as terrorist group.

French PM urges joint stand against jihadists in Sahel.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street rises after Trump stirs China trade hopes again.

Oil slides as Trump tells OPEC to 'relax'.

Trump says he sees 'signing summit' with China on trade.

Canada's Barrick Gold launches hostile bid for rival Newmont.

Pinterest, YouTube say acting against anti-vaccine messages.

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