UN: Attacks killed 703 in Iraq in Feb.

UN: Attacks killed 703 in Iraq in Feb.

BAGHDAD

The United Nations said Saturday that violence across Iraq in February killed 703 people, a death toll higher than the year before as the country faces a rising wave of militant attacks rivaling the sectarian bloodshed that followed the U.S.-led invasion.

The figures issued by the U.N.’s mission to Iraq is close to January’s death toll of 733, showing that a surge of violence that began 10 months ago with a government crackdown on a Sunni protest camp is not receding. Meanwhile, attacks Saturday killed at least five people and wounded 14, authorities said.

Pakistani Taliban announces cease-fire

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

The Pakistani Taliban announced Saturday that the group will observe a one-month cease-fire as part of efforts to negotiate a peace deal with the government, throwing new life into a foundering peace process.

Spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said in a statement emailed to reporters that the top leadership of the militant group has instructed all of its units to comply with the cease-fire.

The leader of the government’s negotiating team, Irfan Sadiqui, praised the cease-fire announcement while speaking on Pakistan’s Geo Television, saying the government will review any written document from the Taliban about it.

“Today, we are seeing a big breakthrough,” Sadiqui said.

Deal could let gays in St. Pat’s parade

BOSTON

The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston is easing its two-decade ban on gay organizations under a tentative deal to allow them to march in an event that once went to the Supreme Court to keep gays out, a marriage equality group said Saturday.

MassEquality Executive Director Kara Coredini said a group of gay military veterans can march under its banner as part of a tentative deal with parade organizers brokered by Boston Mayor Martin Walsh.

Marchers from the gay-rights group would not, however, be allowed to wear clothing or hold signs that refer to sexual orientation, Coredini said.

Egypt’s new Cabinet officials sworn in

CAIRO

Egypt’s new interim government was sworn in Saturday, a lightly reshuffled Cabinet with familiar faces that keeps powerful ministers in charge of the country’s security and military services in place ahead of an anticipated presidential election.

The new Cabinet, Egypt’s sixth government since its 2011 revolt against autocrat Hosni Mubarak, retains Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi as defense minister. Many believe the wildly popular el-Sissi, who led the July 3 overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, will run for president.

Navy: Fighter jet crashes in Nevada

FALLON, NEV.

The Navy says a fighter jet has crashed during a training exercise in western Nevada, and the pilot’s condition is not immediately known.

The F/A-18C Hornet crashed about 3 p.m. Saturday on a Navy range training complex about 70 miles east of Naval Air Station Fallon.

Lt. Reagan Lauritzen of Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet said she didn’t immediately know the pilot’s condition.

She said Navy personnel were heading to the scene. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

Associated Press