World News Briefs -- March 14, 2019

The Guardian: Russian and Syrian airstrikes intensify on rebel-held Idlib

Attack comes as Brussels pushes for Assad to agree to a UN-sanctioned political settlement

Russia has sent in aircraft to attack the Syrian rebel-held province of Idlib in its first major assault for months, as foreign ministers gathered in Brussels to pledge as much $5bn (£3.8bn) to support countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, where many Syrians have sought refuge.

The bombardment of the country’s last rebel-held enclaveby Russian and Syrian planes was the most extensive yet. A full-scale assault could lead to hundreds of thousands of refugees joining the four million who have already fled the country.

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MIDDLE EAST

US-backed SDF says fight against ISIL enters 'final moments'.

Diehard Syria jihadists go down all guns blazing.

Bad weather gives IS militants in Syria a second wind.

Hundreds lumber out of last IS redoubt in east Syria.

Syria's Assad struggles to reap spoils after military gains.

Turkey, Russia eye closer coordination on Syria.

Targeted killings of Hamas leaders will resume if needed, says Israeli prime minister candidate Gantz.

ASIA

Taliban political chief says optimistic about Afghan peace talks.

Afghanistan probes mistaken US air attack on its army base.

China hits back at US over human rights violations.

China deflects India’s call for United Nations sanctions on leader of Pakistan-based militants.

India 'disappointed' as China foils bid to blacklist JeM chief.

Maneuvering to isolate Taipei, China fires rhetorical broadsides at Taiwan.

Tokyo slams Russian military drills in south Kurils as inadmissible.

New Zealand in shock after climate change minister attacked on way to parliament.

AFRICA

Ethiopian Airlines black boxes flown to Paris for investigation. France receives black boxes from Ethiopian Airlines crash.

Congo's president pardons hundreds of political prisoners. DRC President Tshisekedi pardons about 700 political prisoners.

Eight killed in blast at Somali market: official.

New Algerian prime minister to form 'technocratic government'. Algeria to form interim government.

Ethiopia's ex-rebels start hunger strike.

Search for survivors ends a day after Lagos building collapse.

WHO: Deadly plague breaks out on Uganda-Congo border.

Billions pledged to halt Africa's forest loss.

EUROPE

UK lawmakers gear up for vote on delaying Brexit.

Brexit Article 50: Tusk to ask EU to consider long extension.

Poroshenko camp in damage-control mode as Ukrainian election nears.

NATO edges towards Trump's spending demands, Germany lags.

Estonian intelligence flags Russian civilian vessels as would-be spy ships.

US ups pressure on Europe over 5G infrastructure from China's Huawei.

Former U.K. soldier to be charged for 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre.

AMERICAS

Trump makes last-ditch effort to stop Senate rebuke of emergency declaration. Trump tells GOP to back border emergency, but defeat likely.

US House unanimously demands Mueller report be made public.

Venezuela accuses US of 'terrorist attack' on oil facility.

Venezuela's oil production plunged in February, OPEC says.

Colombia: March in favour of FARC peace accord.

Trudeau scandal: PM's party blocks ex-attorney general from testifying again.

Millions in path of potential bomb cyclone as winter storm slams central U.S..

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistan's Masood Azhar: China blocks bid to call militant terrorist.


UN: Al Qaeda continues to view Afghanistan as a ‘safe haven’.

US on track to nearly triple airstrike record in Somalia.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Ethiopian Airlines crash puts US$633 billion worth of Boeing 737 MAX jet orders in jeopardy – with Asian airlines among the biggest customers.

Donald Trump orders Boeing 737 MAX fleet grounded, as plane maker backs 'caution'.

Facebook and Instagram suffer most severe outage ever.