Friday, August 26, 2016

World News Briefs -- August 26, 2016



Reuters: Fighters and residents leave besieged Damascus suburb Daraya

Fighters in the Damascus suburb of Daraya began to leave with their families and other residents under an evacuation deal on Friday, effectively surrendering the town to the government after a gruelling four-year siege.

A Reuters witness saw six buses leaving the town. Footage on state television showed buses driving past a large group of soldiers through streets lined with rubble.

Peeping from the window of one of the vehicles was a small child no older than four or five, too young to remember life before the siege.

Only one shipment of aid has reached the area since the Syrian army surrounded the town in 2012, the U.N. says.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Turkish PM vows to continue Syria military operations.

Turkey signals no quick end to Syria incursion as truck bomb kills police. Fatal bombing hits Turkish police in Cizr.

U.S. seeks to soothe Turkey ties, press fight against Islamic State.

Putin and Erdogan discuss Syria, joint fight against terror: Kremlin.

New Syrian rebel advance against IS may take months, commander says.

Syrian rebels and civilians begin evacuating devastated suburb of Damascus. Syria: Evacuation of Daraya begins in deal to end siege.

White House condemns Syria's chemical weapons use.

Iran denies US accusation of arming Yemen rebels.

Kerry: More 'work to do' in avoiding civilian casualties in Yemen.

Iranian ships' actions in Gulf increase risk of miscalculation: White House.

ASIA

Philippines and Maoist rebels sign indefinite ceasefire.

Philippine troops kill 11 Islamist militants.

US fears over IS group's SE Asia expansion.

North Korea claims it’s now able to nuke U.S. mainland.

Afghanistan airstrike kills at least 24.

US aid to Pakistan shrinks amid mounting frustration over militants.

The haze is back across South East Asia.

AFRICA

Zimbabwe police forcibly disperse rioters in Harare. No 'Arab Spring' in Zimbabwe, Mugabe warns protesters.

Libyan forces continue battling out Islamic State for Sirte.

Somalia attack: 10 killed after gunmen raid restaurant, seize hostages.

South Sudanese opposition leader leaves hospital, to stay in Khartoum.

UN council plans S.Sudan visit to push for regional force.

Niger Delta Avengers spawn copycats in Nigeria's oil heartland.

Nigerian traditional rulers want prisoners freed before Delta talks.

Congo to free five activists to smooth election negotiations.


EUROPE

Italy quake death toll hits 281, state funeral planned. Italy quake: grief and trauma in hilltop towns as hopes fade of finding survivors. Italy quake: Emergency declared as hopes for more survivors fade.

France's highest court suspends burkini ban in test case. Top French court rules Burkini bans violate basic freedoms.

German FM Steinmeier calls for new arms control pact with Russia.

Hungary to build second border fence to stop refugees.

Migrant influx pushes German population growth to highest since 1992.

30% of Germans call for burqa ban in public places, 51% want complete prohibition – poll.

Visegrad leaders: Merkel meets European critics of her refugee policies.

Kosovo prosecutor investigates president's ally for political favouritism.

AMERICAS

US economic growth estimate for 2nd quarter cut to 1.1%.

As racial politics loom over election, Obama's legacy is seen as mixed.

Bolivian deputy prime minister beaten to death by striking miners. Bolivian minister Rodolfo Illanes 'killed by miners'.

Colombia awaiting definitive cease-fire announcement from FARC.

Colombia moves quickly to hold referendum on a peace deal with Farc.

US repatriates 161 Cuban migrants.

Charges recommended for Brazil ex-president Silva in probe.

Brazil impeachment trial suspended amid senators' row. Shouts, charges of 'stupidity,' at Brazil president's trial.

US swimmer Lochte 'won't respond' to Brazil false claim charge.

Canada PM Trudeau to mount charm offensive in China: officials.

Ex-PM Stephen Harper quits Canada politics. Canada ex-PM Harper quits Parliament, to work as consultant.

President Obama creates the world's largest marine reserve: Hawaii's Papahanaumokuakea now four times the size of California.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

emen army takes last Qaeda stronghold in Abyan.

Gitmo closure plan eludes White House.

'Jihadist hub' Molenbeek lures tourists across Brussels canal.

Kayla Mueller refused to renounce Christianity to ISIS executioner ‘Jihadi John’.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Yellen suggests rate hike is coming but offers no timetable.

Sir Richard Branson 'thought he would die' in bike crash.

American billionaire in bid to buy Formula One for $8.5bn.

Defiant Dotcom's legal saga continues.

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