Reuters World News Summary

Following is a summary of current world news briefs. Bangladesh commandos shoot purported hijacker of Biman Bangladesh plane

Bangladeshi commandoes shot a passenger on Sunday who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight after waving a gun and threatening to blow up the plane, airline and aviation authority officials said. The passenger, who had said he had a personal issue with his wife and told the pilot he wanted to speak to Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, died later from the injuries suffered after the commandos stormed the plane at Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport, officials said. British PM May seeks more time: promises Brexit deal vote by March 12

Prime Minister Theresa May put off a vote in parliament on her Brexit deal until as late as March 12 - just 17 days before Britain is due to leave the EU - setting up a showdown this week with lawmakers who accuse her of running out the clock. As the Brexit crisis goes down to the wire, May said a so-called "meaningful vote" would not take place this week as expected. Parliament will still hold a series of Brexit votes on Wednesday, but May's deal itself will not be on the table. Nigeria starts to count votes as final ballots cast after delays

A handful of polling stations remained open to allow more Nigerians to vote on Sunday in what is expected to be a tight presidential race between President Muhammadu Buhari and businessman Atiku Abubakar in Africa's top oil producer. Buhari, 76, a former military ruler who is seeking a second elected term on an anti-corruption platform faces Atiku, 72, a former vice president who has promised to expand the role of the private sector in Africa's largest economy. Arab League, EU seek synchrony on regional crises in first summit

Arab and European states sought common ground on security threats and regional crises including Yemen, Syria and Libya on Sunday at their first joint summit held in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Officials said the summit was neither about Brexit - which British Prime Minister Theresa May was discussing with other leaders on the sidelines - nor primarily about migration, an issue that has consumed European political debate since a surge in arrivals in 2015. U.S.-backed SDF hands over 280 Iraqi, foreign detainees to Iraq

U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have handed to Iraq 280 Iraqi and foreign detainees in recent days, Iraq's military said in a statement on Sunday. An Iraqi military colonel confirmed to Reuters that 130 people were transferred on Sunday, adding to the 150 transferred on Thursday. They included the first known transfers of non-Iraqi detainees to Iraq, but it was unclear if they will remain in Iraqi custody. U.S. team lowers expectations for second summit with North Korea's Kim

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration appears to be open to seeking a limited deal at this week's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, an approach that may yield small but potentially significant results. It's unclear how far either side is willing to go, but officials in Washington and Seoul say discussions have included allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear reactor and opening U.S.-North Korea liaison offices. UK PM May considers plan to delay Brexit by two months: The Telegraph

British Prime Minister Theresa May is considering a plan under which Britain's exit from the European Union would be delayed for up to two months, the Telegraph reported https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/02/24/exclusive-brexit-will-delayed-two-months-plans-considered-theresa on Sunday. UK government officials have drawn up a series of options, which were circulated at the weekend, in a bid to avoid resignations by ministers determined to support a backbench bid to take a "no deal" Brexit off the table this week, according to the Telegraph. Iran says it made successful submarine missile launch in Gulf war games

Iran successfully tested a cruise missile on Sunday during naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported, at a time of heightened tensions with the United States. Tehran has in the past threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route at the mouth of the Gulf, in retaliation for any hostile U.S. action, including attempts to halt Iranian oil exports through sanctions. Pope declares war on sexual abuse but victims feel betrayed

Pope Francis ended his conference on the sexual abuse of children by clergy on Sunday by calling for an "all-out battle" against a crime that should be "erased from the face of the earth". But victims and their advocates expressed deep disappointment, saying Francis had merely repeated old promises and offered few new concrete proposals. Brazil says Maduro's violence to block Venezuelan aid 'criminal act'

Brazil on Sunday condemned violence used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government this weekend to block aid shipments from crossing the border, branding it a "criminal act" and calling on the international community to join efforts to "liberate" the South American nation. Meanwhile, Brazilian Army Colonel George Feres Kanaan told Reuters on Sunday that two Venezuelan national guard soldiers deserted to Brazil late Saturday, joining some 60 military officials who defected in Colombia.