Wednesday, September 14, 2016

World News Briefs -- September 14, 2016

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) sits beside the hotel's pool with aide Jason Meininger during a break from his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the crisis in Syria September 9, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Reuters: Kerry defends Syria deal with Russia, says Obama backs plan

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday sought to diffuse criticism of a U.S.-Russian ceasefire agreement on Syria arguing that without it violence would increase significantly with many more Syrians slaughtered or forced to flee the war-torn country.

The deal struck between Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday agreed to a seven-day period of reduced violence and increased humanitarian aid deliveries.

If the truce holds, U.S. and Russian militaries would begin to coordinate air strikes against Nusra Front and Islamic State militants in an agreed area.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

As Syrian cease-fire holds, focus turns to aid.

Politics blamed for delay in UN aid delivery to Syria. Syria ceasefire: Aid still not reaching besieged areas.

Russia urges Syrian rebels to separate from 'terrorists'.

US destroys 'Islamic State' chemical weapons plant in Iraq.

U.S. 'sponsors of terrorism' bill could fuel extremism: Saudi adviser.

Shimon Peres: Former Israeli president 'responsive' after stroke.

Arabs flee Gulf heat for Alpine idyll, despite talk of veil ban.

ASIA

Top diplomats from U.S., Japan, South Korea to meet on North Korea.

U.S. has no right to lecture China over North Korea: People's Daily.

Japanese PM to discuss North Korea, economic ties during rare Cuba trip.

Suu Kyi to meet Obama in Washington for first time as Myanmar leader.

Turkmenistan's constitutional amendment allows president to serve for life.

US ambassador's 'surprise' at China's Australia influence.

Super Typhoon Meranti: 2016's most powerful cyclone.

AFRICA

Khalifa Haftar forces seize oil port Brega in Libya. Libya's NOC aims to lift Zeuitina force majeure: Facilities Guard.

Clash with Boko Haram in Niger kills five soldiers, 30 militants.

South Sudan: Surviving on goat bones and water lilies.

Passengers on board Russian jet blown up over Egypt were killed by 'extreme decompression' and 'were impossible to recognise as human beings', says report.

Obama lifts economic sanctions from Ivory Coast, citing progress.

Africa's shortage of engineering skills ‘will stunt its growth’.

WHO says Angola, Congo yellow fever outbreak under control.

EUROPE

David Cameron ‘ultimately responsible’ for Libya collapse and the rise of Isis, Commons report concludes. MPs deliver damning verdict on David Cameron's Libya intervention.

Ukrainian rebel leader announces unilateral cease-fire.

Expert: IMF tranche expected in Kiev might be last one.

European Parliament urges Poland to observe rule of law.

US ambassador to Italy in firestorm over referendum remarks.

Juncker rallies support for EU in State of Union address. Brexit not the end of European Union, Juncker says.

Split Cyprus' rival leaders to meet UN chief on peace talks.

AMERICAS

Democratic Party says it was hacked again, blames Russians.

Official: US goal to take in 110,000 refugees in coming year.

UN approves Colombia peace mission.

Colombia Farc: Government negotiator warns over referendum.

South America's Mercosur threatens to suspend Venezuela. Mercosur threatens to suspend Venezuela.

Brazil launches rescue plan to fix economy.

Argentina and UK agree to ‘remove obstacles’ to Falklands development.

Honduras mayor arrested on suspicion of directing a group of assassins.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

White House threatens veto of Guantanamo bill.

Republican pushes for resolution to allow Gitmo lawsuit.

US confirms it killed Islamic State’s spokesman and external operations chief.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Bayer confirms Monsanto takeover with $66bn bid. Monsanto accepts sweeter bid from Bayer.

YouTube ordered to pay more for music by Europe.

Publishers may get paid for web news as EU swipes at Google.

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