World News Briefs -- March 16, 2021 (Evening Edition)

 

Reuters: War in Yemen is 'back in full force,' says U.N. mediator 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The war in Yemen is “back in full force,” the United Nations mediator told the Security Council on Tuesday amid renewed attempts to get the warring parties to talk and U.N. warnings that the country is spiralling toward a massive famine. 

Martin Griffiths told the council that there had been a dramatic deterioration in the more than six-year-long war with a Houthi offensive on Marib - the Yemeni government’s last northern stronghold - putting millions of civilians at risk.

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 MIDDLE EAST 

At least five rockets slam into Iraq airbase housing US troops: Attack comes weeks after American contractor was killed in missile strike on another airbase. 

Syrian air defenses intercept Israeli attack around Damascus - statement. 

Iran enriching uranium with new advanced machine type at underground plant -IAEA. 

Yemeni protesters storm Aden presidential palace. 

HRW says rebel fire caused Yemen blaze that killed migrants. 

Damascus hikes fuel prices by more than 50 percent. 

Freefalling Lebanon currency hits new low. 

Turkish prison conditions worsen amid pandemic. 

Covid-19: Palestinians lag behind in vaccine efforts as infections rise. 

Israel unearths fragments of 2000-year-old biblical scroll. 

 ASIA 

US to attend Afghan peace talks in Moscow. 

Residents flee Yangon suburb fearing fresh Myanmar military crackdown, EU readies sanctions. 

Surging deaths, hundreds disappeared in Myanmar unrest: UN. 

WFP warns of rising food, fuel costs in Myanmar amid coup protests. 

Chinese media: Instigated attacks in Myanmar reveal new risk for Chinese firms overseas. 

China says it will allow visitors into the country - but only if they have had the CHINESE Covid-19 vaccine. 

Blinken: China using 'coercion and aggression' in Xinjiang, Tibet. 

U.S., Japan agree on 'North Korea denuclearization' in first cabinet meeting. 

Kim Yo Jong warns U.S. against 'losing sleep' in address to Joe Biden. 

North Korea criticizes US-South Korean military drills, issues warning before allies meet. 

Sri Lanka says burqa ban is for national security. 

 AFRICA

Fifty-eight killed in 'barbarous' Niger attacks near Mali border. 

Nigeria jihadists ambush military convoy, 19 troops dead: security sources. 

Ethiopian general tells diplomats of 'dirty war' in Tigray. 

Sudan and Ethiopia border clashes fuel wider tensions. 

Sudan formally seeks expanded talks on Nile dam row. 

Libya's western government hands power to unity team. 

UN asks for $1bn to help people hit by Boko Haram. 

South Africa's largest ethnic group, Zulus await new king. 

 EUROPE 

AstraZeneca vaccine: Europe divided over suspensions as investigation continues. 

EU regulator 'convinced' AstraZeneca jab benefits outweigh risks.

European AstraZeneca suspensions threaten global COVID response. 

COVID: German cases are growing 'exponentially' again. 

Paris needs more coronavirus restrictions, French PM says. 

Netherlands begins 3 days of voting for election amid COVID-19 measures. 

EU planning to sue Britain over Irish portion of Brexit agreement. 

Hundreds protest outside UK Parliament and police headquarters for third night. 

Harry speaks to Charles, William after bitter TV interview: friend. 

Britain's Prince Philip returns home after 4 weeks in London hospitals. 

Europe's droughts since 2015 'worst in 2,000 years'. 

 AMERICAS 

'I would recommend it': Trump tells his supporters who are hostile to the COVID vaccine to get the shot after months of silence: Rages against Biden for taking credit for Operation Warp Speed and says program 'saved millions'. 

Biden to hold first press conference of presidency March 25: W.House. 

Biden tells migrants 'don't come over' amid surge at the border. 

US homeland security head defends Biden immigration policies. 

US retail sales plunge 3% in February: govt. 

US industrial production falls 2.2% in February amid winter storms. 

GOP leader calls out US House Democrat for troop 'stunt'. 

Taiwan says helping ally Paraguay to buy COVID-19 vaccines. 

Covid-19: Brazil to get fourth health minister since pandemic began. 

Ecuador presidential candidates launch campaign for April 11 runoff. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

British fighter planes attack Islamic State strongholds in Iraq. 

Mozambique insurgency: Children beheaded, aid agency reports. 

ISIS affiliate in Mozambique riding a ‘wave of momentum’. 

Burkina camp revives one year after jihadist attacks. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

S&P 500 ends lower as investors eye Fed meeting. 

Asian stocks to open lower as investors eye Fed meeting. 

China's tech giants fall under regulator's pressure. 

Facebook to pay News Corp for content in Australia. 

Nokia to cut up to 10,000 jobs worldwide.