Monday, August 22, 2016

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

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov during a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Vientiane, Laos July 26, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Reuters: Kerry says hopes talks with Russia on Syria 'nearing the end'

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday talks between the United States and Russia on military cooperation in the fight against Islamic State in Syria were nearing an end, with technical teams meeting this week to discuss details.

"We are in indeed engaged currently in ongoing conversations, and it is my hope that we are reaching the end of those discussions one way or another," Kerry told a news conference during a visit to Kenya.

"In the next days our team will meet this week, and depending on where those discussions go, it is very possible, very likely, that Foreign Minister (Sergei) Lavrov and I would meet," he said.

"But that decision has to be made on the basis of where we are in the next couple of days."

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

UN aid chief warns of 'unparalleled' catastrophe in Aleppo.

Kurdish militia launches assault to evict Syrian army from key city of Hasaka. Syria: YPG launches assault to take all of Hasaka. Kurdish YPG, Assad regime clash in Hasakeh.

Iran: Russia has stopped using Iran base for Syria strikes.

Iraq hangs 36 people sentenced to death for killing of troops in 2014.

Turkey vows to cleanse Islamic State from its border after wedding attack kills 54.

Israel hits Syria targets after stray fire on Golan.

Israeli air strikes pound Gaza after rocket attack. Palestinian rocket strikes Israel, drawing Israeli reprisal. Israel launches up to 50 strikes on Gaza after rocket attack on Sderot.

Israel launches 'dozens' of Gaza strikes, draws Turkish ire.

Deadly battles as Yemen army seeks to break Taez siege.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis rally to support Houthi-led council.

Cut weapons sales to Saudi over Yemen, arms watchdog says.

ASIA

Protesters attack Pakistani TV station, shots fired.

North Korea appeared to resume plutonium production this year, U.N. says.

Afghan forces retake Khanabad district from Taliban.

Pakistani forces kill six in new offensive near Afghan border.

‘Red line’: China warned Japan against joining US freedom of navigation stunts.

S. Korea, US start drills despite N. Korea's nuclear threat. Tensions run high in Asia as South Korea, US begin annual military drills.

Thailand bomb attacks the work of 'at least' 20 people: police.

Philippine senators investigate hundreds of drugs killings. Philippine police anti-drugs operations have killed 712 since July, Senate hears. Philippines drug war deaths climb to 1,800, president spars with U.N..

Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte threatens to leave UN. Philippines backtracks on threat to pull out of UN.

Singapore PM suffers spell during live televised speech.

India floods: Several dead and thousands rescued.

AFRICA

In fresh blow to ANC, opposition takes power in Johannesburg.

Fraught DR Congo faces national strike over election row.

Somali bombings leave 23 dead; Al-Shabaab claims responsibility.

Libya's eastern parliament votes against U.N.-backed government in Tripoli.

Libyan forces say they capture mosque, prison from Islamic State in Sirte. Anti-IS forces seize more ground in Libya's Sirte.

Nigerian militant group says agrees on ceasefire, ready for dialogue with government. Anger in the Delta keeps oil majors quiet - and Nigeria's crude offline.

Motorcycle suicide bomber kills three in north Cameroon market.

Kerry, African ministers meet on South Sudan violence.

Two French aid workers killed in Madagascar.

Angola passes laws to crack down on press and social media.

Morocco king urges diaspora to reject Islamist extremism.

Tunisian premier names government, appoints new finance minister.

EUROPE

Sarkozy announces bid for 2017 presidential race.

'We are heading towards a European 9/11': Counter-terrorism official says terror groups are plotting 'simultaneous attacks in various countries this year'.

Germany tightens Swiss border controls: Swiss minister.

Hungarian politician slammed for proposing pig heads along border to stop refugees entering country.

Italian warship plays host as leaders discuss post-Brexit EU.

Italy to hold elections in 2018 whatever referendum outcome: Renzi.

Germany to tell people to stockpile food and water in case of attacks: FAS.

Promised prosperity never arrived in Russian-held Crimea, locals say.

AMERICAS

Colombia Cabinet publishes tax returns as transparency drive.

Iran seeks closer ties with Cuba.

Venezuela interior minister lashes out at U.S. over cocaine charges.

Rio 2016 concludes amid fireworks and concerns.

Rio hangover as Tokyo grabs Olympic baton.

Obama will finally travel to flood-ravaged Louisiana.

More than 100,000 ask for federal help in aftermath of Louisiana floods.

Nicaragua election campaign begins with Ortega as clear favorite.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto 'plagiarised thesis'.

Protesters demand reforms to Chile's private pension system.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS release chilling new jihadi video calling on killers to 'follow lead' of Nice terror attacker.

Jihadi pleads guilt at ICC's Timbuktu trial. Islamist rebel apologises for destroying Timbuktu shrines at ICC trial.

'Un-Islamic' cultural heritage in jihadists' crosshairs.

Extremist prisoners 'may be separated' from other inmates.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Bill Gates’s net worth hits record high of $90 billion: Chart.

Federal Reserve 'close to meeting targets' for US economy.

Bin Laden raid bestseller's author to pay $7m.

Pfizer to buy Medivation in $14 billion deal.

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