Thursday, February 16, 2017

World News Briefs -- February 16, 2017



CNN: ISIS claims responsibility for deadly Baghdad blast

(CNN)ISIS has claimed responsibility for a deadly car bomb explosion Thursday in southwestern Baghdad, according to a statement released by ISIS-affiliated Amaq News Agency.

The blast killed 51 people and wounded at least as many others, Gen. Saad Maan, spokesman for Baghdad's Operations Command, said in a statement.
The attack targeted a busy car market in the predominately Shiite al-Bayaa district of the Iraqi capital, a security official told CNN.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian jihadists kill scores of rival insurgents: rebel official, SITE.

As talks falter, Moscow finds brokering Syria peace trickier than waging war.

Huge Baghdad car bomb kills at least 52: officials. Baghdad car bomb kills at least 48. Deadly car bombing rocks Iraq's Baghdad.

Mosul offensive producing treasure trove of intel.

Assad vows to retake Raqa and 'every inch' of Syria.

As Syria negotiations falter, Assad backs Trump travel ban.

Iran says Israel 'biggest threat' to world peace.

Pro-government tribal leader among dead in US raid in Yemen.

Yemen conflict: 'Deadly strike' hits funeral party.

Israel-Palestinian conflict: UN warns Trump over two-state reversal. Arab League chief says Mideast peace requires two-state solution.

Israel warns Hezbollah after threats to hit reactor.

France says U.S. position on Middle East peace 'confused and worrying'.

ASIA

At least 70 killed in Sufi shrine bombing in Pakistan. Pakistan: IS attack on Sufi shrine in Sindh kills dozens. Blast hits Pakistan's Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Sufi shrine.

Pakistan raids hideout of militants behind surge of attacks; six dead.

Myanmar says military operation in troubled Rakhine has ended.

3 arrested in NKorean's death in Malaysia; autopsy completed. Kim Jong-nam: Malaysia detains boyfriend of second female suspect in connection with murder. Kim Jong-nam: More arrests over airport poisoning.

S.Korea to blast news of Kim Jong-nam killing across border.

US pledges nuclear defence for Japan, S.Korea after N.Korea missile launch.

Indonesia's political climate 'increasingly embittered'.

Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong facing South Korea arrest.

AFRICA

DR Congo urged to break crisis 'impasse' by UN, AU, EU.

Shabaab claims attack as new Somali leader takes office.

Libya requests NATO assistance to bolster security institutions.

South Sudan Army troops accused of mass rape.

Central African Republic: Rebel group 'killed 32 civilians'.

Portuguese prosecutors charge Angolan VP with corruption.

Up to 20 million threatened by drought in eastern Africa.

Armyworms threaten southern Africa food supply: UN agency.

Egypt's NGO law aims to 'erase civil society'.

Zuma returns to parliament a week after chaotic address.

EUROPE

Cyprus peace talks interrupted by old plebiscite row.

Kremlin aide says no agreement yet on Putin-Trump meeting: Ifax.

Tillerson confirms US ready to solve its problems with Russia — Lavrov. Tillerson and Mattis in guarded approach to Russia.

Russian foreign minister meets with Tillerson, denies interfering.

NATO's European allies take steps to meet US demand.

NATO European allies to jointly buy planes, set up new elite HQ.

Germany urges Russia to influence separatists in eastern Ukraine: sources.

Merkel testifies on NSA spying affair.

Anti-police protests spread to streets of central Paris.

AMERICAS

Trump says White House 'fine-tuned machine,' despite turmoil.

Corker: Senate GOP discussing best path for Russia probe.

Trump presses showdown with intelligence agencies.

Flynn resignation: Republicans seek probe into leaks.

60% of refugee arrivals since judge halted Trump’s order come from 5 terror-prone countries.

'Day Without Immigrants' protests being held across US.

Ex-banker and leftist Correa ally vie in Ecuador election.

'I don't want problems' with Trump, says Venezuela's Maduro.

Ceta: Justin Trudeau defends controversial EU-Canada trade deal.

CNN Spanish service moves to YouTube after Venezuela ban.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State claims suicide attack on shrine in Pakistan: AMAQ.

Islamic State claims suicide attack on shrine in Pakistan: AMAQ.

Trinidad & Tobago tries to halt fighters to Islamic State.

Cyber warriors see politics muddying security efforts.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow Jones barely notches sixth straight record high close.

Trump cheers stock market's 'longest winning streak in decades'.

Exclusive: Big U.S. banks to push for easing of money laundering rules.

Lockheed F-35 jet cost could drop 16 percent: Pentagon official.

1 comment:

RussInSoCal said...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-deports-40000-pakistan-workers-terror-fears-attacks-counter-terrorism-a7578151.html

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expelled almost 40,000 Pakistani migrant workers in the last four months, local media has reported.

Over 39,000 people have been deported since October 2016 over visa violations and security concerns, the Saudi Gazette reported, citing unnamed interior ministry officials. As well as crimes including drug trafficking, forgery and theft, an unknown number of those removed from the country were suspected to have links to Isis and other extremist groups, the paper said.

The alleged mass deportations come after a year of strikes and other unrest in the kingdom due to unpaid wages following the oil market’s decline and subsequent blow to the Saudi economy.