Friday, April 22, 2016

World News Briefs -- April 22, 2016 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: U.N. envoy calls for major Syria meeting to save truce and peace talks

The U.N. special envoy for Syria called on Friday for an urgent meeting of ministers from major and regional powers to sustain the threadbare truce in Syria, as well as troubled peace talks and humanitarian aid efforts.

"Yes we do need certainly a new ISSG at ministerial level," envoy Staffan de Mistura said, referring to the International Syria Support Group which includes the United States, Russia, the European Union, Iran, Turkey and Arab states.

De Mistura compared the apparently stalled political talks on Syria's future, the unraveling ceasefire agreement and the still limited humanitarian relief deliveries to the three legs of a table.

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MIDDLE EAST

US acknowledges killing more civilians in Iraq, Syria strikes. Twenty civilians killed in air strikes in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military.

Roads to refuge are few as Aleppo fighting escalates.

Syrian peace talks limp on to next week with opposition absent.

Syria: Civilians killed as air strikes pound Aleppo.

Islamic State using chemical weapons in Iraq, Kurds say.

Islamic State mines kill dozens of civilians returning to Ramadi.

UN-backed Yemen peace talks begin in Kuwait. U.N. says Yemen peace talks atmosphere shows progress.

Turkey: 3 soldiers killed in attack on military vehicle.

US to buy 32 tons of nuclear material from Iran, State Department announces. Top House Republican condemns reported U.S. purchase of Iran heavy water.

U.N. torture watchdog urges Saudi to halt flogging, amputations.

ASIA

Prominent Sikh figure killed in Pakistan.

China denies reports of massing troops at North Korea border.

Sentinel maps North Korean nuclear blast aftermath.

Death toll rises in Kabul bombing, Taliban says didn't kill civilians.

U.N. rights chief urges Thailand to roll back military's powers.

Sri Lanka's police chief vows to maintain independence in probe of ex-leader.

The massive phone scam problem vexing China and Taiwan.

U.S. to propose Obama visit Hiroshima in late May: Nikkei. Japan's Suga: Not true that Japan and U.S. arranging Obama visit to Hiroshima.

AFRICA

South Sudan's peace deal hangs by a thread.

Mali reports arrest of Islamist suspected of series of attacks.

350 Shiite Muslims massacred by Nigerian military – Amnesty Int’l. Nigerian army killed 350 and secretly buried the bodies, Amnesty says.

Islamic State 'forced out' of key Libyan city of Derna.

Libyan lawmakers say majority back unity plan, but no vote yet.

Ethiopia army in South Sudan to find abducted children.

Chadian leader Idriss Deby wins fifth term in election landslide.

Elections likely to endorse authoritarian regime in Equatorial Guinea.

Mauritanian blogger's death sentence upheld.

EUROPE

Lenders ask Greece to prepare contingency package of extra reforms.

Russia grants Ukraine's request to delay Eurobond case defense.

Obama urges Britain not to leave the EU on London visit. Obama exhorts Britain to stay in EU, warns on trade if it leaves.

London mayor attacks Obama's 'bias' over EU stance.

NATO's new deterrent may include bigger Black Sea presence.

Brussels bomber Laachraoui 'guarded IS Syria hostages'.

Merkel's Turkey visit aims to soothe tensions on EU migrant deal.

Swedish government coalition divided as long term problems mount.

Edward Snowden will sue Norway for free passage to avoid US spying charges.

AMERICAS

Guatemala deploys 3,000 troops to disputed border with Belize.

ISIS suspect reveals plans to open up route from Syria to U.S. through Mexico.

New aftershocks shake Ecuador still reeling from quake.

Ecuador quake death toll rises to nearly 600; country faces massive rebuilding.

At U.N., Brazil's Rousseff warns of 'grave' moment country is facing.

Venezuela to cut power for four hours a day amid electricity crisis.

Venezuela runs up $1 billion debt for late shipping containers.

Cuba gives green light to US cruises.

Peru's Fujimori and Kuczynski seen tied in poll on June run-off.

American future: 55 million Latinos in U.S., one-third under 18.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. judge allows CIA interrogation lawsuit to proceed.

U.S.-led coalition blows up $500 million in Islamic State cash.

ISIS is struggling to fund its war machine.

Boko Haram and Islamic State collaborating, military leaders say.

Head of the CIA arrives in Bosnia for anti-terrorism talks.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Zuckerberg, Facebook increasingly in political spotlight.

Apple's iBooks, iTunes Movies mysteriously suspended in China; customers want refunds.

Decriminalize all drugs, business and world leaders tell UN.

The bank at the middle of an attempted $950m cyber heist didn’t even have a firewall.

Climate change: World leaders to ratify Paris deal.

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