Thursday, May 19, 2016

World News Briefs -- May 19, 2016



Daily Mail: Is this the wreckage of Flight MS804? Images emerge as debris from EgyptAir jet is found off Greek island after it went into 'sharp spin' and fell 22,000ft in what was 'almost certainly a terror attack'

* EgyptAir flight MS804 vanished over the Med at 00.30am GMT after leaving Paris at 9.09pm GMT on Wednesday
* Airline said contact was lost with plane 10 miles into Egyptian air space about 40 minutes before it was due to land
* Airbus A320 was flying at 37,000ft and did not make a distress call before it disappeared off radar, officials say
* There were 56 passengers on board including one Briton, 30 Egyptians, 15 French and one Canadian and 10 crew
* Major search operation underway as former air crash investigation chief says it is 'very probably a terror attack'

These images claim to show debris from the doomed EgyptAir plane that crashed into the Mediterranean with 66 people on board in what experts claim was almost certainly a terrorist attack.

The pictures emerged as search vessels reported seeing plastics object and lifejackets floating in the sea around 230 miles south of the Greek islands of Crete and Karpathos.

Flight MS804 was travelling from Paris to Cairo when it vanished from radar ten miles into Egyptian airspace at 00.30am GMT without making a distress call.


MIDDLE EAST

Syrian government forces, allies capture extensive area near Damascus. Syria troops 'capture rebel towns near Damascus'.

Syrian army 'kills over 200 Isis militants' in three-day Deir ez-Zor offensive.

Jihadists mobilize in Syria as peacemaking unravels.

Clearing one Iraqi city of IS bombs could take decades.

Iran is demanding reparations from US for 63 years of ‘spiritual and material damage.

Turkey politics: Erdogan ally Yildirim nominated as PM.

France sets Middle East peace conference for June 3.

ASIA

Afghan Army General killed in roadside bombing.

Sri Lanka mudslide: Army fears 134 missing are dead.

US, not China, militarising the South China Sea: FM.

EU imposes further sanctions on North Korea.

North Korea military goods on sale on eBay.

India's ruling party wins power in northeast, widens influence.

Former Pakistan prime minister's son ​describes dramatic rescue from ​al-Qa​ida.

AFRICA

EgyptAir flight from Paris to Cairo was likely brought down by terror attack, officials say. gypt's Air Minister: Terrorism more likely cause of jet crash than technical issues. EgyptAir jet missing after mid-air plunge, Greeks find life vests.

Russia to lend Egypt $25 billion to build nuclear power plant.

Islamic State suicide bombings kill 32 Libyan militiamen.

NATO allies divided over bigger role in stabilizing Libya.

Sudan will not seek to renew peacekeeping mandate in Darfur.

Arrest warrant issued for DR Congo opposition leader accused of hiring mercenaries.

Kenya government urges critics not to protest over electoral body.

Nigerian president to meet schoolgirl who escaped Boko Haram.


EUROPE

French intelligence warned the country was 'clearly being targeted by ISIS' and was at risk of 'a new form of attack' a week before Paris flight to Egypt.

Russian spy chief: EgyptAir crash likely to be a terrorist act - RIA.

EU seen on track to extend economic sanctions on Russia: sources.

NATO formally invites Montenegro as 29th member.

Macedonia crisis: Parliament calls off June poll amid turmoil.

French PM calls for end to labor protests marred by violence.

Man arrested in Buckingham Palace security breach.

AMERICAS

U.S. House panel delivers Puerto Rico crisis bill, debt looms.

Protests intensify against Venezuela's Maduro.

Venezuela Maduro OAS: Latin American 'traitor' row escalates.

Mob burns Venezuelan man alive over $5 as rule of law fails.

Brazil judge sentences ex-presidential aide to 23 years in Petrobas probe.

US House to debate repealing 2001 war authorization.

US House approves $602B defense bill despite White House objections.

Poll: Two-thirds of US would struggle to cover $1,000 crisis.

As Alberta wildfire rages, thousands who fled must wait weeks to go home.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Preliminary decision on secret 9/11 pages expected this week.

French security chief warns Islamic State plans wave of attacks in France.

Al Qaeda turns to Syria with a plan to challenge ISIS.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Aviation, travel stocks slump after EgyptAir plane disappears.

Perino: Facebook recognizes its 'trust problem' with conservatives.

Bayer makes takeover offer for agriculture giant Monsanto.

Rare $31.6 million ‘Unique Pink’ diamond sets new auction record. Oppenheimer Blue diamond sets new auction record.

1 comment:

D.Plowman said...

Doesn't really bear the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.

Went down over the ocean, rather than a populated/urban area which would be the ideal time for a bomb. Nobody to witness it.