World News Briefs -- February 8, 2021 (Night Edition)

 

Daily Mail: Myanmar army warn they will use live ammo on protesters as martial law is imposed in areas and general appears on TV to say military coup was justified 

 * Myanmar riot police threatened protesters with use of live ammunition to stifle the mass demonstrations

 * Martial law has been declared in parts of Mandalay today, banning people from protesting or gathering 

 * The leader of the military coup made his first TV address, seeking to justify his action over 'unfair election' 

 * Crowds were estimated at hundreds of thousands in Yangon on Monday in a third straight day of protests 

 * Protesters chanted 'down with military dictatorship' and 'we want democracy' with some skipping their jobs 

 * Others were seen holding pictures of Aung San Suu Kyi who was arrested in last week's military takeover 

Myanmar police have warned protesters to disperse or face force shortly after state television signaled impending action to stifle mass demonstrations against a military coup and the arrest of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 

In the capital Naypyidaw today, three lines of police in riot gear could be seen across a road with a sign saying that live ammunition could be used if demonstrators breached the third line of officers. 

The scene comes as martial law has been declared in parts of Myanmar's second-largest city Mandalay, banning people from protesting or gathering in groups of more than five. 

Read more .... 

 MIDDLE EAST 

IS ambush kills 26 pro-regime fighters in Syria. 

Iran, N. Korea resumed missile collaboration in 2020: UN report. 

US forces not protecting Syrian oil fields: Pentagon. 

Iran nuclear deal: Biden says US will not unilaterally lift sanctions. 

Biden set to 'put a little more distance' in relations with Israel, focus on Iran - Reports. 

Benjamin Netanyahu WALKS OUT of his own corruption trial after telling judge he's innocent of fraud and bribery charges. 

White House says Biden 'head nod' didn't signify shift on Iran. 

US can no longer be 'sole mediator' for peace with Israel, says Palestinian PM. 

Iran 'hides spyware in wallpaper, restaurant and games apps'​. 

UK declines to follow US in suspending Saudi arms sales over Yemen. 

 ASIA

Military leaders order curfew, ban gatherings in Myanmar. 

New rallies in Myanmar's Yangon despite military warnings. 

Afghanistan's Vice President Saleh: Taliban 'have not honoured' deal with US. 

Micronesian nations to quit Pacific's peak regional body, leaving it in disarray. 

North Korea commands army to achieve state economic goals. 

Reports: North, South Korea officials secretly met in Vladivostok in 2019. 

India glacier disaster: Rescue operations underway for trapped workers. 

Reports: China postponing COVID-19 vaccine plans amid slow rollout. 

China arrests Australian journalist for spying.

China to build the world’s biggest dam on sacred Tibetan river. 

 AFRICA 

South Africa suspends rollout of Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. 

South Africa scrambles for new Covid strategy after AstraZeneca vaccine blow. 

Somalia election delay leads to fears Al Shabaab could exploit power vacuum. 

Sudan’s prime minister names new cabinet. 

UN begins distributing food in Ethiopia's Tigray. 

'Life is back' – Kigali residents' relief after lockdown. 

Filling Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam in July threatens Sudan's security - minister. 

Ethiopia's troubled Western region. 

DR Congo records first Ebola death in three months. 

Moussa Faki Mahamat re-elected as African Union Commission head. 

 EUROPE

EU expels three Russian diplomats, defends envoy's ill-starred Moscow trip. 

Belarusian foreign minister discusses arms control with Russian diplomat. 

French security bill: ‘Illegal tactics’ used against protesters. 

Heavy snowfall paralyzes northern and central Germany. 

Dutch schools, roads, trains shut down amid first snowstorm in 11 years. 

Severe floods strike southwest France, Paris area on flood alert.

Revealed: Queen lobbied for change in law to hide her private wealth. 

 AMERICAS 

Senate looks to avoid dragged-out Trump impeachment battle. 

Daily COVID cases fall below 100,000 for first time in THREE months as hospitalizations and deaths decline - and 31.5 million Americans have now had a vaccine shot. 

New variants threaten to reverse progress against COVID-19. 

DC delegate to introduce bill banning permanent fencing around Capitol. 

US set to rejoin United Nations Human Rights Council that Donald Trump withdrew from almost three years ago. 

Majority for first time says US system of government is not sound: poll. 

Haiti's president alleges coup plot amid dispute over end of term. 

Colombia to grant temporary protection to nearly 1m Venezuelans. 

Ecuador's socialist candidate Arauz claims 'resounding victory' as election set for April runoff.

French Caribbean islands in dire straits as new Covid rules hit. 

Cuba opens up its economy to private businesses. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

IS brutality returning to Syrian towns. 

AQAP leader reportedly captured. 

Remains of 104 Yazidis killed by ISIL laid to rest in Iraq. 

Syria 'finds body of archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad beheaded by IS'. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Asian markets track Wall St records on reopening hopes. 

Oil prices shake off COVID blues as Brent hits $60.

Robinhood sued over 20-year-old American student trader’s suicide. 

Bitcoin surges above $46,000 to record after Elon Musk’s Tesla buys $1.5 billion worth.