Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Feb. 18

The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing measures for the implementation of the new truce on Ukraine crisis.

In the Russian-drafted resolution, the Council reaffirmed "its full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine," and expressed "its grave concern at the tragic events and violence in eastern regions of Ukraine." (UN-Resolution-Ukraine Crisis)

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WASHINGTON -- Former Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was sworn in Tuesday as the 25th U.S. Defense Secretary, the fourth defense chief in President Barack Obama's six years in office.

A trained physicist and a longtime Pentagon bureaucrat, Carter took the helm at a time when the military are facing mounting issues, such as redefining military strategies against the extremist group Islamic State (IS) and a decision on whether to arm the Ukrainian forces with lethal weapons. (US-Defense Secretary)

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BUDAPEST -- Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a brief visit to Hungary on Tuesday as the European Union increased its sanctions against Moscow and a fragile cease-fire took shape in Ukraine.

The visit comes on the heels of yet another accord reached in Minsk last Thursday, with German Chancellor Merkel, French President Holland, Putin, and Ukraine's President Poroshenko in attendance, and new EU sanctions that took effect on Monday. (Hungary-Russia-Visit)

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WASHINGTON -- The United States and Cuba will hold a new round of talks on normalized ties here at the end of this month, the State Department confirmed on Tuesday.

"I can confirm that the talks will be held on the 27th here at the State Department, the 27th of February," spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki told reporters at a daily news briefing. (U.S.-Cuba-Ties) Endi