World News Briefs -- February 3, 2021 (Night Edition)

 

 

Reuters: U.N. chief vows to rally global pressure to make sure Myanmar coup fails 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged on Wednesday to mobilize enough international pressure on Myanmar’s military “to make sure that this coup fails” as the U.N. Security Council tries to negotiate a statement on the crisis. 

The Myanmar army detained the country’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others on Monday in response to “election fraud”, handed power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing, and imposed a state of emergency for one year. 

Read more .... 

 MIDDLE EAST 

Syrian air defenses respond to ‘Israeli aggression’ near Golan Heights – state media. 

Purchase of Russia’s COVID vaccine sparks debate in Iran. 

High-level Iraqi delegation in Iran to talk trade, Soleimani. 

US 'disappointed' by UN court decision on Iran case: State Department. 

Iran agrees to release crew of seized South Korea tanker. 

Saudi Arabia suspends entry from 20 countries over COVID fears. 

Qatar announces new restrictions amid fears of second COVID wave. 

Erdogan says will not let Turkish university protests swell. 

 ASIA 

Myanmar coup: UN chief Guterres calls for failure of military takeover. 

Uyghur advocates speak out after horrifying accounts of rape and torture in Xinjiang camps in China. 

Red line that must not be crossed' top Chinese official hopes US abandons its 'zero-sum' rivalry. 

China slams U.N. Security Council 'leak' on Myanmar. 

Taliban on diplomatic blitz after Afghan peace talks stall.

Afghanistan troop withdrawal should be tied with peace talk progress, says German foreign minister. 

US study group advises delay in Afghanistan withdrawal. 

Japan extends state of emergency amid rising COVID-19 cases. 

New Caledonia's Government collapses after resignation of pro-independence politicians. 

Vanuatu's former prime minister Charlot Salwai avoids prison after being convicted of perjury. 

Defector says North Korea 'popular uprising' likely. 

 AFRICA 

Several Malian troops killed in suspected jihadist attack in central Mopti region. 

Somalia holds emergency talks over election crisis. 

Tunisian soldiers killed by explosive device in mountains close to Algerian border.

Ethiopia arrests 15 over UAE embassy attack plot: Reports. 

RwandAir begins flights to besieged CAR capital.

Liberia war crimes: Rebel commander on trial in Finland. 

Zimbabwean journalist's anti-corruption song goes viral. 

 EUROPE 

Former ECB chief Mario Draghi to form new Italian government. 

Eurozone, EU economies sank during 2020 due to COVID-19 impact. 

EU leaders begin to feel heat over slow Covid vaccine rollout. 

Coronavirus leaves Portugal's hospitals in a state of emergency. 

AstraZeneca, Oxford say COVID-19 vaccine 76% effective after 90 days. 

Coronavirus digest: Denmark plans COVID vaccination passport. 

More than 10,000 have been detained at pro-Navalny rallies in Russia, monitor says. 

Kremlin shrugs off Navalny backlash as protesters crowd jails. 

France 'won't meddle' in German choices over Nord Stream 2. 

 AMERICAS 

CDC director: Coronavirus infections, hospitalizations falling. 

Federal government opening first mass Covid vaccination sites in California. 

Biden White House: We can't release Trump's visitor logs. 

Continued increase in COVID cases and deaths in LatAm: PAHO. 

Mexico approves emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine and orders more than 7 million doses. 

Mexican police officers arrested for killings near US border. 

Venezuela frees crew of two seized Guyana boats. 

Guaido: Maduro refuses to access US-held funds to buy vaccines. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Tehran buddies up to the Taliban. 

Proud Boys: Canada labels far-right group a terrorist entity. 

10 Malian troops killed in suspected jihadist attack. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

S&P 500, Dow end up for 3rd day as Alphabet jumps, volatility eases. 

Apple is DOWN! Services including iCloud and Photos are hit with outag. 

Pfizer expects $15bn sales of Covid-19 vaccine. 

Billion-dollar baby: Amazon daily sales surpass new milestone. 

UK applying to join Asia-Pacific free trade pact CPTPP. 

Alibaba revenues soar but Ant Group float uncertain.