Thursday, October 20, 2016

World News Briefs -- October 20, 2016 (Evening Edition)



CNN: Mosul: Most intense day of fighting since offensive began

Near Mosul, Iraq (CNN)Iraqi-led forces engaged Thursday in the most intense fighting yet in the battle to liberate the city of Mosul from two years of brutal ISIS rule, on day four of an offensive that's been met with fierce resistance from ISIS fighters.

But with the clashes have come sweeping gains -- the coalition has now recaptured at least 100 square kilometers of territory, a CNN analysis of the battlefield shows.

Iraqi Maj. Gen. Maan al-Saadi said 200 ISIS fighters were killed as Iraqi forces took the Christian town of Bartella from ISIS militants, the latest territorial win for a coalition of around 100,000 people quickly closing in on Mosul.

The Iraqi-led coalition launched the operation on Monday to retake Mosul, seen as the cultural capital of ISIS's envisaged caliphate, or so-called Islamic State.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqi special forces join battle for Mosul, US soldier dies.

Iraqi PM upbeat on Mosul offensive.

Mosul: Islamic State is 'a brutal opponent', says US general.

Mosul: Iraqi special forces 'already inside' battleground city held by Islamic State. Iraqi special forces join Mosul offensive against IS.

Tunnelling under an ISIL commander's house.

Syrian rebels preventing evacuation of Aleppo: Lavrov.

Nearly 500 dead, food running out in Aleppo: UN chief.

Syria conflict: Russia extends Aleppo ceasefire by 24 hours. Putin extends Aleppo humanitarian pause by 24 hours — minister.

Turkish air strikes pound US-backed Kurdish militia in Syria. Turkey: Army kills up to 200 YPG fighters in Aleppo. Turkey escalates campaign against Syrian Kurds.

Syrian army says will 'bring down' any Turkish war planes in its air space.

Yemen conflict: Fragile ceasefire holds despite small clashes.

Saudi coalition violated law with Yemen funeral strike: U.N. monitors.

Iran's supreme leader slams US election.

Israeli troops kill Palestinian suspected of throwing rocks at them: army.

ASIA

US warns of 'overwhelming' response if N.Korea uses nukes. US pledges to do all it can to fight 'grave threat' of nuclear North Korea.

North Korea carries out second failed missile launch - South.

Duterte announces cutting of economic, military ties with U.S.. South China Sea: Rodrigo Duterte says 'US has lost' during Beijing visit, aligns Philippines with China.

China and Philippines agree to put territorial disputes aside.

UN 'deeply concerned' about rising child casualties in Afghanistan.

Afghan displaced crisis may be larger than expected, U.N. says. UN warns of displacement crisis in Afghanistan.

U.N. official urges Sri Lanka to take stronger measures to protect minorities.

AFRICA

Some 1,400 migrants rescued off Libyan coast.

Boko Haram overruns Nigerian military base in northeast.

Kenya accused of 'dumping' Somali refugees ​back over the border with no support.

Arms deals with Europe, Israel fuel South Sudan war: UN.

Ethiopia 'detains 1,600' under state of emergency.

Iran 'wanted Egypt at Syria talks' as Middle Eastern alliances shift.

Nearly 850,000 people in Madagascar face 'alarming' hunger levels : U.N.

Ivory Coast police crack down on march against new constitution.

South African police disperse student protesters outside Zuma's office.

EUROPE

NATO shadows Russian naval force, fears more Aleppo attacks.

EU steps up calls for deals with Africa to curb migrants.

Four-way talks move ahead on Ukraine, scant progress on Syria.

Kremlin satisfied with Normandy Four meeting in Berlin. Slight optimism after Putin visit to Berlin.

Dutch PM not optimistic on deal over EU-Ukraine partnership.

Aleppo atrocities force EU leaders to confront tense Russian relationship.

UK warships shadowing Russian naval task force.

UK police launch terrorism investigation after London Tube incident.


France's Hollande under pressure over crime as police protest snowballs.

AMERICAS

US election: Trump will accept result 'if I win'.

Trump's stance on election results deepens rifts in Republican Party.

Venezuelan government slams as racist U.S. campaign ad linking Trump to Chavez.

Venezuela opposition politician Rosales granted house arrest.

Venezuela political dialogue difficult but must be pursued: Church.


Mexico seeks arrest of state governors caught in corruption rows.

Ex-leader of Brazil's lower house arrested on graft charges.

Edward Snowden blames ‘politics of fear’ for discouraging Canadian PM Justin Trudeau from repealing anti-terror law.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Terrorism is top fear for countries worldwide.

Treasury, Saudi Arabia team up to target Hezbollah financiers. U.S. government sanctions Hezbollah operatives, fundraisers.

Jakarta attacks: IS bombmaker smiles after 10-year sentence.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Cloud rise helps Microsoft top earnings expectations.

Apple complains Amazon's US site is selling fake products.

China is the big winner as Clinton, Trump disavow hard-fought Asia-Pacific trade deal.

World wine output expected to hit four-year low.

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