World News Briefs -- March 18, 2019

DW: Three dead, nine injured in Utrecht shooting

Authorities say several people have been injured and three were killed in a shooting on a tram in Utrecht. The terror threat level around the Dutch city has been raised to maximum as police hunt for the suspected gunman.

A gunman opened fire on a tram in the central Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday, killing at least three people and wounding nine, said city Mayor Jan van Zanen.

"At this stage, we can confirm three deaths and nine wounded, three of them seriously," van Zanen said in a video message on Twitter. He added that a "terror motive" was the most plausible reason for the attack.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian fighters say 'thousands' still inside last ISIL pocket.

2 Iraqi soldiers killed in clashes with Kurdish PKK.

Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan uses New Zealand attack video at campaign rally.

Saudi crown prince launched covert campaign to silence dissenters prior to Khashoggi killing: report.

U.S. Navy veteran detained in Iran sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Israeli soldier and rabbi killed in West Bank attack.

Israel elections: Court bans far-right candidate Ben-Ari.

ASIA

Afghanistan forces suffer heavy loss against Taliban in northwest battle.

Shooting erupts between Indian, Pakistani forces in Makwal Sector, Jammu.

China says 13,000 'terrorists' arrested in Xinjiang since 2014.

Bolton: North Korea 'not willing to do what they needed to do' for nuclear deal.

Defector: Kim Jong Un could be eyeing titular head-of-state position.

Cambodia issues warrants for exiled opposition party leaders.

Philippines officially out of the International Criminal Court.

New Zealand planning tougher gun laws after deadly mosque attacks.

AFRICA

At least 16 dead as attackers storm Mali army camp.

Algerian PM has started talks to form new government.

At least 24 killed in Congo freight train crash, mainly children.

Cyclone Idai: Devastation in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Cyclone Idai: Nearly 200 dead, 100 missing in southeast Africa.

Cyclone Idai death toll in Mozambique 'could rise above 1,000'.

Ethiopians hold mass funeral for plane crash victims.

EUROPE

Netherlands police hunt 37-year-old Turkish man Gokman Tanis after ‘terrorist’ shootings kill at least three in Utrecht. Utrecht tram shooting: Manhunt after multiple people hurt in Dutch incident.

Serbia president vows to defend law and order amid protests.

Zuzana Caputova wins first round of Slovakia presidential race.

US announces new Russia sanctions with Canada, EU.

Russia vows to respond to fresh EU sanctions.

Poroshenko says Ukraine to be ready to apply for EU and NATO membership by 2023.

French government admits security 'flaws' in Paris riots.

Justice eludes victims of Albania's brutal communist regime.

AMERICAS

Trump complains he is being blamed for New Zealand attack.

GOP moves to rein in president's emergency powers.

Joe Biden says he's running in 2020 - then corrects himself.

O'Rourke reports massive $6.1M fundraising haul in first 24 hours of campaign.

Venezuela: Juan Guaido launches 'new phase' of anti-Maduro push.

'Same rhetoric': Bolsonaro's US visit to showcase populist alliance with Trump.

Two dead in record flooding in US Midwestern states.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Assault on IS jihadist redoubt in Syria grinds on.

Born into al-Qaida: Hamza bin Laden's rise to prominence.

Al-Baghuz battles as shown by the Islamic State, video report.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil producers to decide in June on extending cuts.

Boeing: 737 MAX certification followed US rules.

WorldPay payments firm in $43bn sale to US rival.

Armando, the 'Lewis Hamilton of pigeons' sells for record €1.25m.

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/2WakwQ1