* Pope Francis arrived in Iraq today for a four-day visit to the war-torn country, the first time a pope has visited
* He called for religious faiths to 'look beyond our differences' in a country home to persecuted Christians
* 84-year-old told reporters on the flight that he is 'happy to resume travel' after a year 'caged' in the Vatican
* Francis will spend his time in Iraq visiting Christian sites attacked by Islamic extremists, and on Saturday is due to meet with Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani
Pope Francis made a rousing call for peace on the first day of his historic visit to war-battered Iraq today, pleading with his hosts for an 'end to acts of violence and extremism, factions and intolerance'.
The 84-year-old, who defied security fears and the pandemic to become the first pontiff to travel to Iraq, urged religious faiths to 'look beyond our differences' in a country ravaged by ISIS that is home to one of the world's most persecuted Christian communities.
Delivering a message of hope to worshippers in Iraq, he paid tribute to the 'age-old presence of Christians in this land, and their contributions to the life of the nation'.
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MIDDLE EAST
‘May the weapons be silenced’: Pope Francis urges peace on historic Iraq visit.
Nuclear program: Iran avoids critical resolution with agreement for talks.
Iran's Zarif to offer 'constructive' plan amid hopes of informal nuclear talks.
Saudi-led coalition says it downed six Houthi drones fired at Khamis Mushait.
Missile strikes hit oil refineries in north Syria, killing one.
Israel postpones drive to vaccinate Palestinian workers.
The UN says UAE has still not provided any proof kidnapped Dubai princess Sheikha Latifa is alive, two weeks after making the demand.
ASIA
China rubber-stamps the death of Hong Kong's democracy: New rules allowing communist rulers to vet 'patriotic' election candidates is brought in a day after dozens are jailed under 'security laws'.
Myanmar protesters met by gunfire as UN Security Council urged to act.
Diplomatic revolt against Myanmar's junta deepens amid brutal crackdown.
Nepal signs peace deal with banned Maoist rebels.
U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan arrives in Doha - sources.
Kim Jong Un takes hands-on approach to improving economy.
New Zealand: New tsunami warning after third earthquake hits.
New African swine fever variants kill millions of pigs in China, devastating herd rebuild plan.
AFRICA
Four dead in Senegal unrest after opposition leader held.
Eritrean troops killed hundreds in Ethiopia massacre: HRW.
Nigeria starts virus vaccine roll-out.
Maersk pleads for military backup against west Africa pirates.
EUROPE
Start work on vaccination certificates, von der Leyen tells EU.
After mixed messages, Europe warns against vaccine shopping.
France aims to vaccinate 30 million against Covid-19 by the summer.
Italy 2020 death toll is highest since World War Two as COVID-19 hits.
Russia’s Sputnik V is world’s second vaccine in terms of national approvals.
Russia to publish blacklist in response to US sanctions, diplomat says.
US announces sanctions on top Ukrainian oligarch & Zelensky ally Kolomoisky for 'undermining democratic processes' in country.
Lithuania to Belarus: 'Rather watch hell freeze over' than deliver Tsikhanouskaya.
AMERICAS
US vaccinates 2 MILLION people for COVID-19 a day: Biden could hit 100 million doses goal in 18 DAYS but there are fears Americans will reject the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot after Detroit mayor turns down city's first shipment.
COVID-19 relief debate stalls in Senate amid Democratic drama.
California relaxes Covid reopening rules for Disneyland, stadiums from April.
Capitol Police ask National Guard to extend deployment.
Lt. Gen. Russel Honore recommends 24/7 'quick reaction force' of D.C. Guard to protect the Capitol after review – as Tucker Carlson brands Pelosi pick an ‘unhinged partisan’.
Trump accuses Biden of creating ‘spiraling tsunami’ at US-Mexico border as migrant situation spins ‘totally out of control’.
Coronavirus digest: Brazil's Bolsonaro tells people 'stop whining'.
Prosecutor asks for hearing on shelving case against Colombia's Uribe.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Biden orders temporary limits on drone strikes outside war zones.
AFRICOM needs White House approval for airstrikes, report says.
Al Shabaab militants storm Somali jail, seven soldiers killed.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street surges on jobs data, global equity markets regain ground.
WHO head wants virus vaccine patents waived to boost supply.
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