Monday, April 25, 2016

World News Briefs -- April 25, 2016 (Evening Edition)

A Kurdish gunman runs across a street in Tuz Khurmato during clashes between Shi'ite militia and Kurdish gunmen, Iraq. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic

Reuters: Kurds and Shi'ites clash in northern Iraq despite ceasefire

Clashes between Kurdish and Shi'ite Turkmen fighters in an Iraqi town late on Monday cut the main road from Baghdad to the north for the second day in a row and threatened to undermine a ceasefire agreement reached by military leaders a day earlier.

The violence in Tuz Khurmatu, 175 km (110 miles) north of the capital, is the latest and most severe flare-up of tensions that have been brewing since Islamic State militants were driven back from the town in 2014.

Shi'ite paramilitary leaders and Kurdish peshmerga commanders had brokered a truce on Sunday to end fighting that killed at least 12 people on both sides, but it broke down before sunset on Monday.

Police sources in the town said shops were closed and the streets deserted. No casualties were reported at area hospitals, likely because the roads were considered too dangerous for travel.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Obama, European leaders urge Syria parties to respect truce.

Germany seeking 'safe zones' in Syria to shelter refugees.

Yemeni troops, backed by United Arab Emirates, take city from Al Qaeda. Yemeni troops retake Al-Qaeda port city stronghold. Mukalla offensive kills 800-plus militants, Saudi Yemen coalition says.

Obama says new US troops in Syria will be essential. Syria conflict: Obama to deploy 250 more special forces troops.

At least 60 killed in Aleppo violence in past three days, monitor says.

Car bomb near Damascus kills at least six: monitor.

Car bomb in eastern Baghdad kills at least 11, sources say.

Iraqi military freezes civilians' return to Ramadi over mine deaths.

Three Turkish soldiers killed, 10 wounded in Kurdish militant attacks.

Kurdish PKK warns Turkey of long fight for freedom.

Turkey says it has deported 3,300 suspected jihadi fighters.

Saudi Arabia agrees plans to move away from oil profits.

Iran in talks with Russia on heavy water sales.

ASIA

2 men including USAID employee killed in Bangladesh.

Canadian man decapitated by Philippine extremists.

Obama dismisses North Korea proposal on halting nuke tests.

UN Security Council condemns North Korean missile test.

Afghan president calls on Pakistan to battle Taliban.

Pakistan arrests prominent al-Qaida financier.

Philippines moves to rescue hostages amid beheading threat.

Bangladesh tightens security at gas field after militant threat.

Japan says China's maritime expansion making the world 'greatly worried'.

China to build up atoll in contested South China Sea, source says.

China’s Xi warns against religious infiltration from abroad.

Military parades, dawn services as ANZAC Day commemorated.

AFRICA

US backs NATO blockade of Libya to close migrant route. Merkel hints at further military effort in Libya after talks.

Congo police fire teargas, arrest opposition supporters.

#DontBuyDeath encourages Somalians to stay home.

Egypt's security forces disperse small protests against Sisi.

Egyptian President Sisi in warning over anti-government protests. Egyptian police mass to counter anger over Red Sea islands.

Italy says NATO three months from Libya naval mission. British ground troops could go to Libya, says Philip Hammond.

U.S. accuses South Sudan sides of blocking peace, warns over support.

US to dial back peace efforts in South Sudan.

Somalia, AU mull security strategy to thwart terror threats.

Burundi general shot dead dropping child off at school. Burundi: General assassinated in attack in capital.

Equatorial Guinea election expected to extend president's 37-year rule.

EUROPE

Bus blast kills one in Armenian capital: govt.

Obama: Europe, NATO can do more to fight Islamic State.

Obama: Strong, united Europe ‘a necessity for the world’.

Obama: Russia sanctions must remain until Moscow complies with Minsk deal.

Austrian far-right party wins first round of presidential election. Europe's far-right welcomes Austrian election result.

Serbia's PM wins election in endorsement of pro-EU policy.

Turkish embassy wants Swedish channel to withdraw film on Armenian genocide.

30 years after Chernobyl disaster, containment is nearing completion.

AMERICAS

Canada PM condemns 'cold-blooded murder' of hostage in Philippines. Canadian executed by Islamic militants in Philippines: Trudeau.

Brazil's Senate chooses presidential impeachment commission. Brazil's main opposition party split on joining a future Temer government.

Venezuela court blocks another opposition tactic to oust Maduro.

Ted Cruz, John Kasich join forces to stop Donald Trump. Cruz, Kasich campaign announce collaboration to deny Trump delegates.

Exclusive: Large majority of Senate pushes Obama to boost Israel aid.

Mexico police under gun attack in Acapulco.

Mexico hampered probe into apparent student massacre, panel says. Missing Mexican students suffered a night of ‘terror,’ investigators say.

Brazil corruption: $125m of dirty money 'repatriated' in 2015.

Haiti says election could drag on for months, protests grow. Haiti election: Thousands protest over missed deadline.

Ecuador declares national mourning as quake death toll rises to 646.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pro-ISIS hackers post “kill” list of State Department employees.

Cash-strapped ISIS offers $50 a month to fighters — but more if they own sex slaves.

Release of classified pages on foreign 9/11 support imminent.

Blacklisted terrorism financiers still active on social media.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Saudi Prince says Aramco valuation seen at above $2 trillion.

Saudi does not expect oil price below $30 due to global demand.

Cheap oil shaved $390 billion from mideast economies in 2015, IMF says.

Oil resumes rise after brief pause.

USA Today owner Gannett bids for LA Times publisher Tribune.

No comments: