Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, March 3

An avalanche Thursday hit a group of freeride skiers in the Aosta Valley region, in the north of Italy, leaving three people dead and others injured, according to local media.

An Italian, a Belgian and a German lost their life. Among the injured are Italian and German citizens. The avalanche occurred in Val Veny, near the town of Courmayeur. (Italy-Avalanche-German)

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VIENNA -- Eight Iraqi nationals Thursday were given jail sentences over the rape of a 28-year-old German woman in Vienna during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2015, local media reported.

Four of the men allegedly escorted the heavily drunk woman who had become separated from a friend to an apartment, where they were joined by five others in repeatedly raping her. (Vienna-Iraqi-Rape)

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BRASILIA -- Brazilian President Michel Temer on Thursday named Aloysio Nunes as the new foreign minister to replace Jose Serra, who stepped down last week for health reason.

The announcement was made by presidential spokesperson Alexandre Parola, who said Nunes would take over on March 7. (Brazil-Temer-Nunes)

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ANKARA -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador to Ankara on Thursday, following the cancelation of Turkish Justice Minister's meeting in Germany.

German Ambassador Martin Erdmann was received by the deputy secretary responsible for European affairs, Mehmet Kemal Bozay, and a written demarche was also delivered to Erdmann, Daily Sabah reported. (Turkey-German-Erdmann)

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WINDHOEK -- Floods caused by heavy rains have forced seven schools in the northern region of Namibia to close down and some villages abandoned.

Regional councils had to relocate pupils and teachers Thursday when the water that has been rising since Monday had overwhelmed buildings. (Namibia-Floods-Rain) Endi