Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, March 9

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally signed proclamations to impose steep tariffs on imported steel and aluminum amid mounting dissent from business groups and trading partners around the world.

The United States will impose a 25-percent tariff on imported steel and 10-percent on aluminum, Trump said at an event at the White House, noting a strong steel and aluminum industry is "vital to our national security."(U.S.-Tariff)

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UNITED NATIONS -- The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year, till March 17, 2019.

The renewed mandate of UNAMA is in support of Afghanistan's full assumption of leadership and ownership in the security, governance and development areas, reads Resolution 2405.(UN-Afghanistan-Mission)

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BOGOTA -- Colombia's FARC announced Thursday that it would not contest the upcoming presidential elections in May, given the state of health of its leader and presidential candidate.

FARC, or the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force, is a political party spun out of the former guerrilla movement.(Colombia-FARC-Presidential Election)

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JERUSALEM -- U.S. and Israeli military officials said on Thursday they have launched a month-long joint military drill that simulates a missile attack on Israel.

The "Juniper Cobra 2018" exercise was launched on Sunday, a military spokesperson said, adding it is the largest drill of its kind.(Israel-U.S.-Joint Drill)

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DAMASCUS -- The armed rebels fired on the second humanitarian corridor that was established on Thursday to prevent civilians from leaving the rebel-held areas in the capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside, said the War Media, the media wing of the Syrian army.

The rebels fired on the corridor between the town of Mlaiha and the rebel-held Jisreen area in Eastern Ghouta, said the report.(Syria-Eastern Ghouta) Enditem