Thursday, September 22, 2016

World News Briefs -- September 22, 2016



Reuters: Aleppo hit by worst strikes for months as Putin, Assad ignore U.S. plea

Warplanes mounted the heaviest air strikes in months against rebel-held districts of the city of Aleppo overnight, as Russia and the Syrian government spurned a U.S. plea to halt flights, burying any hope for the revival of a doomed ceasefire.

Rebel officials and rescue workers said incendiary bombs were among the weapons that rained from the sky on the city. Hamza al-Khatib, the director of a hospital in the rebel-held east, told Reuters the death toll was 45.

"It's as if the planes are trying to compensate for all the days they didn't drop bombs" during the ceasefire, Ammar al-Selmo, the head of the civil defense rescue service in opposition-held eastern Aleppo told Reuters.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria: Strikes pound Aleppo as UN resumes aid delivery. UN resumes aid as bombing of besieged city of Aleppo intensifies.

John Kerry says Syria could suffer the fate of ancient Carthage.

Obama says Syria 'haunts me constantly'.

Germany calls for ‘complete ban’ on all military flights over Syria to save ceasefire.

Iraq: Security forces recapture Shirqat from ISIL. Iraqi army says it recaptured key town south of Mosul.

US tests for mustard agent after rocket attack near Iraq base.

Eight injured as rockets from Syria pound Turkish border town.

Yemen conflict: Saudi-led air strike 'kills 25 in Hudaydah'.

ASIA

Afghanistan: Hezb-i-Islami armed group signs peace deal. 'Butcher of Kabul' pardoned in Afghan peace deal.

Japan PM calls North Korea threat 'substantially more serious' than in past.

US, China look at Chinese company’s trade with North Korea.

India's navy on high alert in Mumbai.

Pakistan air force closes highway for 'routine' drill amid India tension.

Indonesia seizes fertilizer ship in Bali, suspecting bomb plot.

China jails prominent rights lawyer Xia Lin for 12 years on fraud charges.

AFRICA

US and regional powers urge Libya not to fight over oil. Libya oil chief fears 'financial collapse' unless exports rise.

Libyan forces say foil Islamic State car bombings in Sirte.

Gabon braces for violence on eve of election ruling.

Congo president urges calm after deadly riot.

U.N.'s Zeid raps Congo after at least 50 killed in protests.

Exclusive: Nigeria hunts down 700,000 firms in tax crackdown to offset oil slump.

Egypt migrant boat capsize: Hundreds feared dead.

EUROPE

Biden warns Ukraine on reforms, says EU sanctions on Russia at risk.

Kiev says weapons withdrawal in Donbass to begin this week. Ukraine, rebels agree to pull back troops, weapons.

Estonia declines Moscow's invitation for security talks.

Planned Serb referendum vote reawakens fears of strife in Bosnia.

Sweden plans wider police powers in clampdown on asylum seekers.

France arrests Belgian police in migrant border row.

German MPs call for Syrian flight ban.

Russian election chiefs to investigate Reuters findings of irregularities.

AMERICAS

Venezuela: Bus drivers protest against Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuelan officials push for 2017 Maduro recall vote. Venezuela election authority: No 2016 recall vote for Maduro. Venezuela opposition fumes as door slams on 2016 Maduro vote.

Secret mediator helped guide Colombia to peace deal.

Brazil police arrest former finance minister in Petrobras probe.

Canada, China to start free trade talks, explore extradition treaty.

Mexico investigates Veracruz governor for embezzlement.

Puerto Rico: Huge blackout after power plant fire. Most of Puerto Rico's 3.5 million people without power.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

EU advised to drop Hamas and Tamil Tigers from terror list.

Drone strike kills 3 Qaeda suspects in Yemen: officials.

New Al-Qaeda document calls for fueling hatred to instigate violence.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Iran won't agree to freeze oil production unless Saudis slash theirs.

EU rapped by WTO for $10bn a year Airbus subsidies.

Reports: Audi was deeply involved in Dieselgate.

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