British Prime Minister defends arms deals with Saudi Arabia

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• British Prime Minister David Cameron has defended his government’s efforts to sell fighter jets made by defense company BAE Systems to Saudi Arabia. Cameron said such companies safeguard jobs and investment. This as the European Parliament backed an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia over its war on Yemen.
• The EU’s Migration Commissioner has warned that the bloc’s Schengen free travel zone may fall if the arrival of refugees does not drop sharply by March seven. Dimitris Avramo-poulos said tangible results are needed on previously-agreed policies on migration or the whole Schengen system will break down.
• A French court has approved a government plan to partially demolish a refugee camp on the outskirts of the northern port city of Calais. Authorities say the order is applicable, except for common social areas, including places of worship and schools in the camp, which is known as the Jungle. 
• The US has submitted a draft sanctions resolution against North Korea to the UN Security Council. US envoy to the United Nations Samantha Power says the sanctions are the harshest in decades. It came one day after the United States and China struck a deal to impose punitive measures on Pyongyang. 
• China's foreign minister has expressed concern about the US plans for deployment of an advanced missile system and powerful radar in South Korea. Wang Yi called for an explanation from Washington adding the deployment could jeopardize his country’s legitimate national security interests.
• The UN special envoy for Syria says the country faces a crucial day on Friday ahead of a partial truce in the midnight. Staffan de Mistura says UN will announce on Friday when the Syrian warring parties would reconvene for fresh peace talks that will hopefully end in a breakthrough.
• Daesh Takfiri terrorists have claimed responsibility for two explosions that killed at least 15 people in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. The explosions targeted a Shia mosque. The second bomb went off after security forces gathered at the site of the initial blast. At least four of the dead are security forces.
• A new wave of student protests has forced three universities to close their campuses across South Africa. In Cape Town, the students set the city’s prestigious university building on fire. Rising fees, allegations of racism, and unresolved disputes over the use of indigenous languages triggered the ongoing tensions months ago.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk