News In Brief

Yemen truce takes effect after week of US pressure
AFP, Sanaa
A 48-hour ceasefire announced by a Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed rebels in Yemen began on Saturday, after the beleaguered government finally agreed to a US peace push. The government, which has deep reservations about a UN peace blueprint it believes undermines its authority, had previously rejected a ceasefire plan announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry after talks with the rebels earlier this week.

UN official calls on Turkey to release journalists
AP, Ankara
A United Nations official has called on Turkey to release all jailed journalists, saying their detentions were not commensurate with the government’s needs to protect public safety.. Speaking to reporters on Friday at the end of a weeklong visit to Turkey, David Kaye, the UN special rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, said he understood the Turkish government’s need to take measures to counter terror threats and protect its citizens.

Pakistani, Indian troops exchange fire across LoC
Dawn.com, Islamabad
Pakistan and Indian border troops exchanged fire across the Line of Control (LoC) on Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. “Indian troops resort to unprovoked firing in Tander and Baroh areas of Bhimber sector today,” a statement released by ISPR said.

ISIS has 60-80 operatives in Europe
AP, New York
Intelligence experts estimate that the ISIS terror group has between 60 and 80 operatives planted in Europe to carry out attacks, the Dutch counterterrorism coordinator said Friday.
Dick Schoof said in an interview with The Associated Press that would-be fighters are also heeding messages from the militant group “asking them not to come to Syria and Iraq, but to prepare attacks in Europe.”